The U.S. state of California is set to close more of its Dungeness crab fishery to traditional gear as regulators anticipate an upcoming abundance of whales in commercial Fishing Zone 3.
Harvesters who opt to use pop-up fishing gear will be allowed to continue fishing for several more weeks in that area, however, as part of the state’s effort to enable commercial fishing to take place alongside whales while reducing entanglement risk.
“This is the dawn of a new day for crab fishing and wildlife in California,” Oceana Senior Scientist and Fishery Innovation Director Geoff Shester said in a release. “Extending the spring crab season with pop-up gear helps support an economically vital fishery while preventing whale entanglements.”
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) approved pop-up fishing gear – which removes the standing vertical lines that whales can become entangled in – as an alternative gear last year, authorizing their use from 1 April through 15 July even if the commercial fishery is closed to traditional gear. The state has run a pilot program testing out pop-up gear for the last two years, with participants reporting high rates of success.
Commercial fishers hauled more than 217,000 pounds of crab with the alternative gear in 2025, with a 98 percent reliability rate.
At the end of March, state regulators closed the fishing zones along the central coast to traditional gear, but fishers were allowed to continue operating in those areas after that with pop-up gear.
Now, Fishing Zone 3 will close to traditional gear 30 April, and pop-up gear will be allowed from 7 May forward.
“Instead of returning whales spelling the end of crab season, with innovative pop-up gear, whales can safely swim and feed off California’s shores while crabbers can keep bringing in traps filled with fresh Dungeness crab for people to enjoy. It’s a true ‘win-win’ for fisheries and wildlife. We’re grateful to the fishers, state officials, and gear developers who worked hard to make it possible,” Shester said.
Traditional gear will still be allowed in zones 1 and 2, though the state is imposing a 30-fathom depth restriction effective 30 April.
