The U.S. state of California is set to close its central coast to commercial Dungeness crab fishing with traditional gear to prevent whale entanglements, but harvesters will be allowed to continue operating if they use pop-up gear.
“The use of pop-up fishing gear is an exciting new development in California fisheries management,” California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Meghan Hertel said in a release. “For the first time, pop-up fishing gear will allow one of California’s most iconic fisheries to continue. Dungeness crab will still be brought to market while whales and sea turtles are protected from entanglement in those fishing zones.”
California has operated a pilot program with pop-up gear in the spring over the last two seasons to explore how the technology can help reduce whale entanglements. Pop-up gear removes the constant vertical lines used in traditional gear that can entangle whales and turtles, instead securing the lines on the seafloor until a fisher is ready to retrieve them, at which point they are released and pop up to the surface. The pilot fishery has shown positive results over two years, with 2025 participants reporting a 98 percent reliability rate for the gear while hauling in more than 217,000 pounds of crab for an estimated value of USD 1.4 million (EUR 1.2 million).
Based on those results, CDFW approved pop-up gear as an “alternative gear” in December 2025, which authorized commercial fishers to use pop-up gear to harvest Dungeness crab from 1 April through 15 July, even if the fishery is closed for traditional gear.
“The authorization of whale-safe pop-up gear is cause for celebration and the result of years of hard work by crabbers, gear manufacturers, CDFW Marine Region, CDFW Law Enforcement Division, the California Ocean Protection Council, and others to find a solution that fits both fishers and whales,” Oceana Senior Scientist and Fishery Innovation Director Geoff Shester said in a statement. “Extending the spring crab season by allowing pop-up gear will help strengthen this important fishery while preventing deadly entanglements that have tragically killed too many whales and jeopardized the recovery of endangered whale populations and Pacific leatherback sea turtles. We’re optimistic that this win-win solution is only the start of years of success for crab fishers, whale lovers, and all who care about our oceans.”
Now, California crabbers will be allowed to take advantage of the change. State regulators are set to close the commercial fishery to traditional gear in fishing zones 4 and 5 on 27 March based on historical data about whale abundance in the regions. However, in accordance with the new designation, commercial operators will be allowed to continue fishing in those zones with approved pop-up gears.
“I’m relieved to see state officials exercising caution as more whales congregate off California. Closing some fishing areas and reducing the amount of gear in the Dungeness crab fishery will help prevent deadly entanglements," Center for Biological Diversity Oceans Campaigner Ben Grundy said in a release. “Migrating whales already face multiple threats navigating fishing gear and fast-moving ships during an ongoing marine heatwave. Thankfully, for the first time ever, pop-up fishing gear is authorized and ready for use. Pop-up gear fishers are currently waiting on the sidelines for California to call their number, and it's important for the state to get them on the water sooner rather than later.”
