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CDFW Ocean Regulations

Dungeness Crab Season Information

CAgroundfishcrab
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Invertebrates of Interest: Crabs

Whale Safe Fisheries - Risk Assessment Program

Waters Opened or Closed to Crab Fishing Due to Public Health Hazards

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Dungeness crab on commercial vesselDungeness Crab. CDFW photo by C. Juhasz.front of red and orange colored crabRed Rock Crab. CDFW photo by C. Juhasz.

Commercial Crab Fishery

Regulations

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission website for pre-season crab quality testing results and other information

Frequently Asked Questions

Recreational Crab Fishery

Regulations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the changes effective Jan 1, 2026 to northern Hoop net surface gear (those used north of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County)?

Regulations were updated to specify surface gear requirements for northern hoop net gear as follows:

  1. Set a maximize size for the main buoy of up to 6 inches in diameter and up to 14 inches in length. No changes were made to marking requirements for the main buoy.
  2. Allow for an optional secondary marker buoy that is:
  3. Solid orange in color
  4. Up to 6 inches in diameter and up to 14 inches in length, and
  5. Marked on two opposing sides with the unique letter “H”. Marking must be at least 2 inches in height and ¼-inch thick.
  6. Allow up to 12 feet of surface line between the main buoy and the marker buoy:
    • For surface line of 6 feet or less, no line marking required.
    • For surface line greater than 6 feet, the terminal end of the line must be marked with a solid orange mark that is 24 to 26 inches in length adjacent to a solid purple mark that is 24 to 26 inches in length (no unmarked line is allowed between the 2 colors). See this summary of northern hoop net regulations (PDF)(external link) for more information.

Effective Jan 1, 2026: Can I still use just a main buoy for my northern hoop net (those used north of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County)?

Yes, you can still use only one buoy for your northern hoop net provided it is within the maximum size dimensions. The secondary buoy is optional.

Effective Jan 1, 2026: Do I need to mark my line if it is only 6 feet between the main buoy and the secondary buoy of the northern hoop net (those used north of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County)?

No, the northern hoop net line marking requirement is not required for line lengths 6 feet or less between the main buoy and the secondary buoy.

Effective Jan 1, 2026: Can I still use my main buoy from my crab trap and use it on my northern hoop net (those used north of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County)?

Provided the main buoy size is within the maximum size dimensions of 6 inches in diameter and 14 inches in length, it is detached from the red marker buoy, and you use it as a main buoy (hoop net additional buoy must be orange with H marked on side), then you may use it to mark your northern hoop net. You may no longer use the small red marker buoy required on crab traps for northern hoop net surface gear.

Effective Jan 1, 2026: I acquired some purple and black manufactured line that is required for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery, can I use it on my recreational hoop nets or crab traps?

No, you may not use the purple and black line required for the California commercial Dungeness crab fishery. You are also not allowed to use any other uniquely marked line that is required for any other U.S. West Coast state or federal fishery. You may not use red and black lines as they are required for the Washington commercial Dungeness crab fishery nor yellow and black lines as they are required for the Oregon commercial Dungeness crab fishery. Information on these fisheries and others adopting and making effective line marking schemes are summarized on the Whale Safe Fisheries - Gear Marking section as they become available.

Who needs a crab trap validation effective Jan. 1, 2026?

A crab trap validation is no longer required for passengers onboard commercial passenger fishing vessels (CPFVs) when using crab traps to harvest crab. Otherwise, anyone who wishes to use a crab trap needs a crab trap validation, even if under 16, on free fishing days, or when fishing from shore, a pier, or manmade structure.

I run a charter vessel that goes out for Dungeness crab trips, what is new this year in 2026?

First, your passengers are no longer required to have a Recreational Crab Trap validation. However, if you use crab traps, the operator of the charter vessel will need a valid Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel (CPFV) Crab Trap Validation. A 2025 CPFV Crab Trap Validation is available now for purchase online(external link) and at select license agents that sell commercial licenses and it is effective from January 1, 2026, until March 31, 2026. The CPFV validation will need to be purchased after the start of each license period.

In addition, anytime you catch crab (north of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County), with either a hoop net or crab trap you will be required to record the number of hoop nets and/or crab traps on your CPFV logbook. For more information on northern hoop net buoy and line marking requirement changes, please refer to this FAQ.

Does the crab trap restriction during the Dungeness crab season affect the use of other legal methods of take for these crab?

No, other methods of take using hoop nets, crab loop traps, and by hand are allowed and not affected by the crab trap restriction provided Dungeness crab are caught in the season specified in Section 29.85(b), Title 14, California Code of Regulations(external link).

What color red does the marker buoy for crab traps have to be?

The marker buoy can be any color red, there is not a specific red indicated in regulation. A bright red is preferred for the best visibility.

What if I cannot find a red marker buoy to purchase?

To be in compliance, you must use the specified color and size buoy. You should continue to work to source the correct buoy. They have generally been available at West Marine, Englund Marine and online. This can also be accomplished by painting a white buoy red as long as it fits the correct size dimensions.

Can the marker buoy for crab traps be larger than 3 x 5 inches?

No, the marker buoy for crab traps must be 3 x 5 inches.

What color does the main buoy of crab traps or hoop nets have to be?

The main buoy of crab traps or hoop nets can be any color or combination of colors.

Is the main buoy for crab traps a minimum size, can it be larger?

Yes, the main buoy for crab traps must be at least 5 inches in diameter and 11 inches in length. This is the minimum size, and it can be larger.

Can I connect two buoys together to make it a larger main buoy for crab traps?

Yes, you may connect two buoys to make a larger main buoy for crab traps, but note, if the buoys become separated you could be subject to enforcement action.

Can I use a trailer buoy for crab traps?

Only if the marker buoy is used as the trailer buoy. The regulations only allow one main buoy and one marker buoy for crab traps, no additional buoys may be added. The marker buoy must be attached no farther than 3 feet away from the main buoy.

Do I need a validation if I am using a ring/hoop net, crab loop trap/snare, or taking by hand?

No, only those using crab traps defined in regulation require the crab trap validation, see Section 29.80 (c), Title 14, CCR.

How much does the validation cost and how long is it good for?

The validation stamp costs $2.98 (as of 2025). All licenses and validations, including the crab trap validation, are good for 365 days from purchase date, see more information. It can be renewed with your sport license.

What number do I mark on the main buoy of my hoop net?

Depending on the operator of the hoop net, the main buoy should be marked as follows:

  1. From a CPFV, a DFG vesselID,
  2. From a licensed guide, their licensed guide ID, and
  3. For all other cases, a GO ID (for multiple operators, one GO ID is sufficient).

Are hoop nets deployed from a pier required to be marked with a surface buoy?

Hoop nets deployed by a person on shore or manmade structures connected to the shore are not required to marked with a surface buoy. A pier is a manmade structure connected to shore so hoop nets would not be required to have a marked surface buoy. All hoop nets need to fit the design type definitions and when deployed, hoop nets need to be serviced at intervals not to exceed 2 hours.

Press Releases, Memos/Notices, Blog Posts

Press Releases

Recreational Crab Traps Restricted in Central Management Area to Protect Whales from Entanglement while Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishing Opportunities Continue

Friday, May 15, 2026

Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishing Opportunities Continue with Alternative ‘Pop-Up’ Gear to Protect Whales from Entanglement

Friday, March 13, 2026

Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery to Open in Humboldt County

Friday, January 23, 2026

News Release Archive

Declarations, Memos, and Notices

Rock Crab

2025-2026 Dungeness Crab Season

Blog Posts

Marine Management News

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Science Institute

Marine Management News

Advisory Groups

Link to the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) website of the DCTF, the group that reviews and evaluates Dungeness crab fishery management

Collaborative effort between commercial and recreational fishermen, environmental organization representatives, members of the disentanglement network, and state and federal agencies to reduce the risk of whale entanglements with Dungeness crab fishing gear

Reports and Related Information

Dungeness and other cancroid crab (rock, yellow and slender crabs) identification, biology, range, and fishing methods

Marine Region (Region 7)

Regional Manager: Dr. Craig Shuman

Main Office: 20 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Suite 100, Monterey, CA  93940

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Source: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Invertebrates/Crabs
Aggregated 7/23/2026.