March 30, 2024 — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced on Thursday that they will close Dungeness crab fishing early for commercial and recreational fishers, per a news release provided by OCEANA.
Fisheries using vertical line gear off the central and southern coasts from south of the Sonoma/Mendocino County line will have to close up shop. There will also be a depth restriction to prohibit fishing in waters deeper than 180 feet for northern California, per OCEANA.
These changes will come into effect starting April 8.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife found earlier this month that not enough is being done to protect humpback whales after completing an assessment.