The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced the closure of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in the Northern Management Area to help safeguard whales from the risk of entanglements in fishing gear.
The decision was made following an entanglement risk assessment under the state’s Risk Assessment Mitigation Program (RAMP).
CDFW director Charlton H. Bonham has ordered the closure of Fishing Zones 1 and 2, which span from the California-Oregon border down to the Sonoma/ Mendocino County line. The closure will take effect at 6 p.m. on June 20, 2025, prohibiting the commercial take and possession of Dungeness crab from these waters. This latest closure follows seasonal shutdowns already in place for Fishing Zones 3 through 6.
On January 2, the pre-soak period covering Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5, and 6 began, and fishermen were able to operate under a 50 percent trap reduction to mitigate the risk of humpback entanglements. The season for the Northern Management Area, which includes Zones 1 and 2, was further delayed due to the inability to conduct industry-sponsored meat quality testing.
In addition to the closures, experimental efforts are ongoing to explore alternative fishing methods. According to the CDFW, Experimental Fishing Permits (EFP) activity is currently underway in Fishing Zones 3, 4, and 5. EFP landings were first reported after Fishing Zones 4 through 6 closed for the season on April 16. The EFP Program is designed to “foster innovation and experimentation in California’s commercial and recreational marine fisheries to inform the conservation and sustainable use of the state’s marine resources.”
Since April 22, 18 fishermen have collectively made 114 landings under EFP permits, delivering a total of 139,845 pounds of crab and generating nearly $1 million in ex-vessel value. The average unit price for these landings was $7.12. Fishermen testing EFPs are using on-demand gear and traditional longlining gear.
Commercial crab vessels will be allowed to retrieve derelict gear starting at 6 a.m. on June 17 in Fishing Zones 1 and 2. CDFA encourages fishermen to report any gear they recover monthly by emailing [email protected].
For further details, visit CDFW.
