November 25, 2019 — Marin’s fishmongers reacted with both disappointment and understanding to news that Northern California’s commercial Dungeness crab season has been delayed again.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed Friday, after issuing a preliminary announcement earlier this week, that the opening has been held back until Dec. 15 in an effort to prevent whales from getting tangled in fishing lines.
The season had already been delayed a week from the traditional Nov. 15 start date over concerns about whale entanglements.
Responding to concerns from the commercial crab fleet, state Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham announced late Friday that he intends to further delay the commercial season south of the Mendocino/Sonoma county line.