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Oregon crab boats that fish in state waters before heading south could face a 30-day wait before fishing in parts of California, where commercial Dungeness crab season has been delayed because of humpback whale entanglements.
California’s Delay and the 30-Day Rule on Dungeness Crabs
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced October 30 that commercial Dungeness crab fishing would be delayed from the Oregon border to Point Conception until at least January 1, 2027 because of 2026 humpback whale entanglements.
California officials expect to conduct another risk assessment in mid-December to help determine whether commercial fishing can begin around the new year.
Under California’s fair-start provision, vessels that previously fished in qualifying commercial Dungeness crab fisheries in California, Oregon or Washington during the same season must wait 30 days after a delayed California fishing zone opens before taking, possessing onboard or landing crab there.
The rule applies to zones delayed because of marine life entanglement risks. If a delayed zone opens with depth restrictions or reduced gear, the 30-day clock begins when any part of that zone first opens.
Oregon’s Crab Season Opening Depends on Preseason Testing
Meanwhile, Oregon is preparing to determine when its 2026–27 commercial crab season can begin. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife plans to conduct preseason testing in early November, weather permitting.
Results from tests measuring crab meat recovery and domoic acid levels will help determine the opening dates for the state’s fishing areas.
The department is working with the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission and the commercial fishing industry to collect samples from six major Oregon ports, covering all 12 crab harvest areas. Observers are planned for gear-retrieval trips to ensure testing protocols are followed.
The Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission will provide a $3,000 stipend for each testing trip, while the department will reimburse participating vessels for fuel and bait.
But Oregon’s opening dates will still depend on the preseason test results and the applicable fishery protocols.
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