October 27, 2025 — The commercial Dungeness crab fishing season has been delayed for all of California.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that the presence of whales and leatherback sea turtles has stopped the starting of crab season. The season would have begun Nov. 1.
Recreation Dungeness crab season will open on Nov. 1 along the coast of the Central Coast and the Monterey Bay, but with some restrictions.
The use of crab traps between the areas of the Sonoma and Mendocino County line and Lopez Point, Monterey County, will be restricted.
A Fleet Advisory has also been sent out to avoid dropping any gear in the areas near the whales. Hoop nets also cannot be left unattended for extended periods and must be serviced every two hours.