California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham issued a declaration to close the commercial Dungeness crab fishery statewide at 11:59 p.m. on April 15 due to increased whale entanglement risk anticipated for the spring and summer months.

Under the interim authority of Section 8276.1(c)(1) of the Fish and Game Code, the Director may restrict take of commercial Dungeness crab if the fishery is being conducted in a manner that poses a significant risk of marine life entanglement.

Therefore, the director has declared that the commercial Dungeness crab fishery will close at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 15.

All Dungeness crab commercial fishing gear must be removed from ocean waters and landings must be completed by April 15 at 11:59 p.m.

For more information or updates, please see the Department’s Crab Fishery Web page.