December 8, 2022 — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that the existing statewide closures for commercial and recreational Dungeness crab fishing off Central and Southern California will remain in effect — at least through December 30 — to protect humpback whales from becoming entangled in fishing gear.
Commercial harvest of Dungeness crab also remains delayed off Northern California’s coast due to low meat quality in crabs.
Recent aerial surveys revealed high numbers of humpback whales swimming along California’s central coast. CDFW is concerned that whales could become entangled by crab pot gear as they make their annual migration toward Mexico.