The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced a delay in opening the commercial Dungeness crab season to protect endangered humpback whales and blue whales in the area from deadly entanglements in trap gear. The department determined that too many whales are present for crabbing to occur safely. The recreational take of Dungeness crabs by methods other than trap gear (including hoop nets and crab snares) will not be restricted and is allowed statewide beginning November 5, 2022.
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