The CDFW Restricts Recreational Crab Traps and More to Protect from Whale Entanglement

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced on Oct. 28 that the recreational take of Dungeness crab using crab traps was temporarily restricted statewide until the season opened on Nov. 5. The decision was a result of the presence of humpback and blue whales and the potential for entanglement from trap gear. Recreational take of Dungeness crab by other methods, including hoop nets and crab snares, was not affected by the temporary trap restriction, and was allowed statewide as of Nov. 5.   However, the deployment and use of crab traps in any recreational crab fishery, including rock crab, is temporarily restricted in all fishing zones until lifted by the CDFW Director. CDFW is also reminding recreational crabbers to implement best practices, as described in the Best Practices Guide.    The commercial Dungeness crab fishery south of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line was scheduled to open on Nov. 15 in fishing zones three through six. However, the season opener has been delayed in those zones due to high numbers of humpback whales being present and the heightened potential for entanglement.   “Based on recent surveys, large aggregations of humpbacks whales continue to forage in California coastal waters and allowing the use of crab traps would increase the risk...