California Closing Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery To Protect Humpback Whales
Because of recent humpback whale entanglements that occurred off San Mateo County and Monterey Bay involving California commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is closing the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in early April, the CDFW announced March 25.
The closure, which affects Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 (Sonoma/Mendocino county line to the U.S./Mexico border) will be effective at noon on April 8, nearly two months earlier than originally planned. All Dungeness crab traps were ordered to be removed from the fishing grounds by the closure date.
“While this closure shortens the season for many fishermen, the RAMP (Risk Assessment Mitigation Program) regulations are designed to minimize risk and provide for a long-term viable fishery...