Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Opens Nov. 15 in Central California

The Central California Dungeness crab season will open on Friday, Nov. 15 south of the Mendocino County line. The season opener will be preceded by an 18-hour gear setting period when crab trap gear can be set no earlier than 6 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14. Quality tests conducted in the Central California region in early November indicate that California Dungeness crabs are ready for harvest.

The 2013-14 commercial Dungeness crab season also marks the first season that the Dungeness crab trap limit program will be in effect. The program consists of seven tiers of trap allotments ranging from 175 to 500 traps. Dungeness crab vessel permit-holders can only fish the maximum number of traps within their respective trap tier. Washington and Oregon implemented their trap limit programs in 1999 and 2006, respectively. California now joins those ranks.

More information on the Dungeness crab trap limit program, please visit: www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/invertebrate/traplimit.asp.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is a department within the government of California, falling under its parent California Natural Resources Agency. The Department of Fish and Wildlife manages and protects the state's diverse fish, wildlife, plant resources, and native habitats. The department is also responsible for the diversified use of fish and wildlife including recreational, commercial, scientific and educational uses. The department also utilizes its law enforcement division to prevent and stop illegal poaching.