CDFW Lifts Entice Restrictions within the Industrial and Leisure Dungeness Crab Fisheries
The California Division of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will elevate the Dungeness crab entice prohibition in Fishing Zones 3-6 (all areas south of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line) for the leisure fishery on Jan. 14, 2023 at 8:01 a.m. CDFW will elevate the 50 p.c business fishery entice discount in Fishing Zones 3-6 on Jan. 15, 2023 at 8:01 a.m. The present 50 p.c entice discount for the business fishery and entice prohibition within the leisure fishery will stay in place till lifted on the respective dates.
Primarily based on out there knowledge and as indicated by historic migration patterns, humpback whale abundance is at or close to a seasonal low inside the Dungeness crab fishing grounds. Consequently, CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham is lifting the entice restrictions in Fishing Zones 3-6 for each fisheries due to lowered entanglement danger. Nevertheless, a Fleet Advisory will probably be issued for the leisure fishery and will probably be continued for the business fishery to stay vigilant and keep away from setting gear in areas the place whales are transiting or foraging. All anglers are additionally strongly inspired to comply with greatest practices, as described within the Finest Practices Information.
CDFW anticipates the subsequent danger evaluation will happen in mid-February 2023. For extra info associated to the chance evaluation course of, please go to CDFW’s Whale Protected Fisheries web page or for extra info on the Dungeness crab fishery, please go to wildlife.ca.gov/crab. For extra info concerning the 2022-2023 business Dungeness crab season, please see CDFW’s Often Requested Questions.
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Media contacts:
Ryan Bartling, CDFW Marine Area, (415) 238-2638
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352