Use of conventional traps for commercial harvesting of Dungeness crab must cease in southern California on March 27, but fishermen may continue operating through the rest of the season using pop-up gear.

The March 13 announcement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for fishing zones 4 and 5 was the department's first ever on the use of the recently approved pop-up gear, with buoys and lines remaining coiled on the seafloor. The announcement covers all fishing grounds south of Pigeon Point, including Monterey Bay and Morro Bay.

When commercial fishermen are ready to retrieve their gear, a remote signal triggers the release of the buoy, which carries the line to the surface, allowing commercial crabbers to locate the trap for quick removal.

"For the first time, pop-up fishing gear will allow one of California's most iconic fisheries to continue," said CDFW Director Meghan Hertel. "Dungeness crab will still be brought to market while whales and sea turtles are protected from entanglement in those fishing zones."

Pop-up fishing gear has been tested extensively over several years to ensure gear can be recovered successfully, providing additional fishing opportunities after the season closes to traditional crab trap gear.

Whale entanglements have increased sharply in recent years and are a serious concern for threatened and endangered populations. National Marine Fisheries Service data shows that roughly 75% of reported whale entanglements are fatal, as whales can drag heavy fishing gear for months, impacting their ability to feed. The result can be malnutrition, starvation, infection to damaged flukes, and even drowning.

Use of pop-up gear was praised by the environmental entities Oceana and the Center for Biological Diversity as a way to keep humpback whales safe while allowing the Dungeness fisheries to continue.

Oceana senior scientist Geoff Shester credited years of hard work by crabbers, gear manufacturers, CDFW Marine Region, CDFW Law Enforcement Division, the California Ocean Protection Council, and others for finding a solution that works for harvesters and whales.

“Migrating whales already face multiple threats navigating fishing gear and fast-moving ships during an ongoing marine heatwave," said Ben Grundy, oceans campaigner for the Center for Biological Diversity. "Thankfully, for the first time ever, pop-up fishing gear is authorized and ready for use."