Northern California Temporarily Closes Dungeness Crab Season While Whales Migrate Through
On Friday, Meghan Hertel, California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Director, closed the season April 30 along the Sonoma Coast, from the Oregon border south to Pigeon Point, to avoid entangling endangered whales.
“Observations by researchers reported to the Point Blue Conservation Science Whale Alert observed 66 humpback whales in Fishing Zone 3 during the week of April 8-14, 2026,” reported Hertel in Friday’s announcement. “Pursuant to 132.8(c)(2), I must implement a Fishing Zone delay or other protective management action in the commercial Dungeness crab fishery...
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