For Dungeness crab fleets, seafood processors and crab lovers, the new year is looking bright.
The Bay Area’s long-delayed commercial crab fishing season will begin Dec. 29, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Wednesday evening.
The decision opens up the last portion of the California coast still waiting for a go-ahead from state officials, who were waiting for humpback whales to migrate south to their breeding grounds — and out of harm’s way from fishing gear.
“Based on data collected during the most recent risk assessment, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director has determined that risk of entanglement has declined, and it is time to provide fishing opportunity in all fishing zones,” officials said in the statement.
The decision applies to the waters off Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties. The commercial fishery may set their gear at 8:01 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 26, and pull up the first crabs at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29. Recreational crabbing may begin earlier, this Friday, Dec. 17.
Bay Area markets and restaurants have been able to offer Dungeness since Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties were allowed to start crabbing Dec. 1, but supplies have been limited. More crab should be coming in with this week’s opening of the season for Santa Cruz and Monterey counties; the first haul will be pulled up Thursday, Dec. 16.
This is a developing story; come back for updates.
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