The U.S. state of California has delayed the start of its commercial Dungeness crab season to 2027 due to the number of whale entanglements that have already taken place this year, as well as the number of humpback whales recently detected in crabbing areas.
In a 30 October memo, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Meghan Hertel noted that there have been seven confirmed entanglements of humpback whales in fishing gear so far in 2026, with two of those entanglements confirmed to involve California commercial Dungeness crab gear.
The state has also detected large numbers of whales in Dungeness crab fishing zones. A 15 October aerial survey spotted 35 humpback whales in Fishing Zone 2, and a survey the next day over Fishing Zone 3 spotted 38 humpback whales. CDFW has also spotted a weekly average of 15.3 humpback whales in Monterey Bay.
Those surveys, along with the high number of entanglements, trigger requirements under state law for CDFW to take actions to reduce entanglements.
“CDFW remains committed to working collaboratively with all sectors across California to protect whale and turtles from entanglements in fishing gear,” Hertel said in a release. “Partnerships are more important than ever as we work together to protect endangered whales and turtles and our fishing communities in the face of increasing disruptions from our changing climate.”
California’s commercial Dungeness crab seasons have been repeatedly delayed in recent years over the presence of humpback whales in crabbing areas and concerns over entanglements. Last season was also delayed into the new year, with California opening fishing zones in stages starting in January 2026.
Some conservation groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, have pressured California regulators to authorize pop-up gear that reduces the number of vertical lines in the water. The state has run a pilot program to test the gear and, last year, allowed commercial fishers using pop-up gear to continue harvesting Dungeness crab after the season was closed to traditional gear due to the return of humpback whales to state waters.
“Delaying the crab season is good news for whales and a no-brainer since entanglements are already so high this year. Humpbacks are still at risk until California authorizes pop-up fishing gear for the entire season,” Ben Grundy-Hawley, an oceans campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement to SeafoodSource. “The marine heatwave means even more whales are in danger of getting tangled in fishing gear, so state officials need to quickly OK this safer gear. They know how to stop these brutal entanglements, and I’m infuriated that they’re not doing it.”
Last month, the Marine Mammal Center, the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) joined forces to form the Dungeness Crab and Whale Conservation Collaborative. The groups said the collaboration will improve whale monitoring to better inform fisheries policy.
