Recreational Dungeness Crab Season Opens in Parts of Northern California
After a delayed start to the season, the recreational Dungeness crab fishery has officially opened in parts of Northern California, including Del Norte County, Mendocino County, and portions of Humboldt County. The opening comes after state health agencies determined crab in certain areas are safe to harvest, though restrictions and advisories remain in place.
The season was initially postponed due to elevated levels of domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin that can accumulate in shellfish. While testing now allows recreational crabbing to resume in select waters, the California Department of Public Health has issued a health advisory for some areas.
Under the advisory, crabbers are urged to remove and discard crab viscera, or “guts,” and to clean crab thoroughly before cooking.
Trap restrictions are also in effect due to ongoing concerns about whale and sea turtle entanglements. From the California-Oregon border south to the Reading Rock Marine Protected Areas, only hoop nets or crab snares are allowed. Traditional crab traps may be used from Cape Mendocino south to the Sonoma-Mendocino County line, though additional trap restrictions remain farther south, along with a fleet advisory statewide.
Parts of Humboldt County remain closed entirely because domoic acid levels are still elevated. State agencies say testing will continue in coordination with fishery participants to determine when additional areas can safely reopen.
Meanwhile, the commercial Dungeness crab season remains delayed due to a combination of entanglement risk, domoic acid concerns, and crab quality testing. Officials plan to reassess conditions next week, which could lead to a potential commercial opening around the New Year and possible changes to recreational trap restrictions.
