With the danger of whale entanglements eased, the Dungeness crab season for central California was scheduled to open Sunday, Dec. 15. Many chefs lamented the delay of dungeness crab season this last fall, however they're finally here and they're ready for your tables. Traditional Christmas feasts featuring Dungeness crab may not be in the cards this year as officials have delayed the commercial crabbing season due to the small size of the crustaceans. Dungeness crab 2019: Where to buy in the Bay Area NOW (or soon) Delay in fishing season has customers eager to get cracking Commercial Dungeness crab fishing season begins after delay. First day of commercial Dungeness crab season south of Mendocino County; December 31. Last day of recreational boat-based groundfish season, statewide; January 2020 January 14. Many chefs lamented the delay of dungeness crab season this last fall, however they're finally here and they're ready for your tables. Review crab measurement methods (PDF) and the current California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet for more Dungeness crab fishing information. Based on these data and the interest in cooperatively managing the interstate Dungeness crab fishery, I am delaying the opening of Dungeness crab season in northern California On Dec. 4, according to a CDFW news release, a meeting of the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group resulted in a decision to go ahead with the Dec. 15 opening date for the commercial crab season from Sonoma County south. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife pushed back the season to lower the risk of whales getting entangled in fishing lines. 2019 Dungeness Crab Fishery Updates Christy Juhasz, Environmental Scientist CDFW, Marine Region DCTF Meeting, Santa Rosa Oct. 16-17, 2019 Christy.Juhasz@wildlife.ca.gov 707-576-2887 . OR Commercial Dungeness crab season delayed due to crab quality until at least Dec. 16 Shellfish Safety Notification: Consumers Warned not to eat the Viscera of Dungeness Crab - CDPH notice. In 2017, California fishermen caught 12.8 million pounds of Dungeness crab worth $47 million off the boat, according to state Fish and Wildlife data. Just in time for the holidays, fresh local crab is available in the Bay Area. But lackluster meat quality led Northwest state fisheries manager to delay opening other coastal areas until the New Year. Nearly $11 million worth was landed in Bodega Bay. Was your Christmas a little less exciting without Dungeness Crab on the menu? Dungeness Crab Season 2019 is now ready for you to get your orders in! To check for in-season closures due to domoic acid, call the CDFW Domoic Acid Fishery Closure Information Line at (831) 649-2883. Stakeholder Workshop: Implementing the California Fisheries Innovation Act of 2018 - Experimental Fishing Permit Program 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. OR Commercial Dungeness crab season delayed due to crab quality until at least Dec. 16 Shellfish Safety Notification: Consumers Warned not to eat the Viscera of Dungeness Crab - CDPH notice. 2019-2020 Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery - Frequently Asked Questions. Now, going forward, in addition to the potential for domoic acid to shut down Dungeness crab season, whale entanglements will also be a factor. 2019-2020 Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery - Frequently Asked Questions. As part of a court settlement CDFW agreed to new rules in 2018, and the 2018-2019 crabbing season was closed two and a half months earlier than scheduled. Dungeness Crab Season 2019 is now ready for you to get your orders in! Now, going forward, in addition to the potential for domoic acid to shut down Dungeness crab season, whale entanglements will also be a factor. Was your Christmas a little less exciting without Dungeness Crab on the menu? December 2019 December 15. As part of a court settlement CDFW agreed to new rules in 2018, and the 2018-2019 crabbing season was closed two and a half months earlier than scheduled. After a month-long delay, the commercial Dungeness crab season finally opened on Sunday.. Crab quality tests conducted in northern California on November 3, 2019, indicate the crabs will not be ready for harvest on December 1, 2019. CDFW Updates • 2018-2019 Dungeness crab season totals • 2015-2016 Crab Disaster Relief Status • Dungeness Crab Trap Limit Account • Tri-State process and proposed updates for quality testing • …