The U.S. state of California has shut down the central portion of its coastal waters to Dungeness crab fishing due to the presence of humpback whales.
This comes after authorities closed the southern portion of the fishery earlier this month.
State regulators have frequently been forced to delay the California commercial Dungeness crab fishery – or close it early – due to the presence of humpback whales, which risk entanglement in the fishery's vertical lines. The 2024-2025 season was delayed for weeks, and now, regulators have begun closing parts of the fishery early.
On 15 April, the state closed Dungeness crab fishing in zones 4, 5, and 6 after detecting a high number of whales in those areas. However, the commercial season was allowed to continue in the northern three zones.
Now, after detecting a large number of whales in Fishing Zone 4 recently, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton Bonham has decided to close Fishing Zone 3 as well.
“On 6 April 2025, a NOAA aerial survey observed 23 humpback whales in Fishing Zone 3. Additionally, on 8 April 2025, a Cascadia Research vessel survey observed 53 humpback whales within Fishing Zone 3. Pursuant to [state regulations], I must implement a Fishing Zone closure or other protective management action in the commercial Dungeness crab fishery,” Bonham said in an 21 April notice.
The closure comes just a couple weeks after ...
