Dungeness crab season might be pushed back one week.
Commercial Dungeness season expected to be delayed a week because of whales
Another year, another likely delay to the start of commercial crab season.
This year’s commercial Dungeness crab season probably will be pushed back one week to Nov. 23 in an effort to decrease the chances of whales currently off the coast getting ensnarled by fishing lines, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a “preliminary determination” issued Friday.
“In addition to this preliminary determination of delay due to a significant risk of whale entanglements, additional delays are possible due to human health risks or poor crab quality,” the department said.
California’s famed Dungeness crab extravaganza has in recent years been a tale of great anticipation, felled hopes, occasional health warnings, season-opener delays and more.
Last year, after a three-year spate of seasons put on hold, the commercial season got underway in mid-November, again marked by high hopes for the fishermen shoving off from Half Moon Bay.
By that December, however, this newspaper reported more disappointing news on the Dungeness front:
“This year was supposed to offer crab lovers relief after several frustrating winters of on-again-off-again crab catching along the California coast,” said the report. “But while crab fishers are hauling up the tasty crustaceans along the Central Coast, an ongoing closure of the fishery north of Sonoma County has spiked prices and limited supply.”
Here’s what we know about this year’s crab season:
THE COMMERCIAL SEASON WILL START LATE >> The opening day of the season likely will be delayed from Nov. 15 to Nov. 23. CDFW Director Charlton Bonham said, “Fishing, environmental and management agencies were consulted before making the preliminary decision.”
THE RECREATIONAL SEASON IS OFF
AND RUNNING >> The recreational crab season, on the other hand, kicked off Saturday, though it came with a warning from state health officials: Don’t eat any internal organs or guts of the crab caught in two coastal areas because of the possible presence of domoic acid.
This byproduct of algal blooms produces a naturally occurring poison that could cause vomiting or diarrhea when eaten.
BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU EAT YOUR
CATCH >> In a health advisory issued Tuesday, the California Department of Public Health advised recreational anglers not to eat the viscera (guts) of Dungeness crab
caught from Shelter Cove in Humboldt County south to Point Arena in Mendocino County and from Point Reyes in Marin County south to Pillar Point in San Mateo County.
Dungeness crab may be caught using hoop nets, crab traps or crab loop
traps (crab snares), or skin and scuba divers may take them by hand only.
BE INFORMED BEFORE HEADING OUT » The recreational fishery this season runs from Nov. 2 through July 30.
The daily bag limit is 10 crab, and the minimum size limit is 5¾ inches.
Recreational crabbing is not allowed from vessels licensed for commercial Dungeness crab fishing, the CDFW said.
GET THE LATEST UPDATES » To check on the latest information about in-season closures due to domoic acid as well as the latest status of the Dungeness crab season, call the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line at 831-649-2883.