Three days into the delay, negotiations remain difficult due to a pending lawsuit brought by a fisherman against multiple California buyers and processors. Buyers are uncomfortable offering a price amid ongoing legal uncertainty, and fishermen are struggling to get to work without knowing what they will be paid.

California commercial Dungeness crab fishermen in the Central Management Area, which runs from the Sonoma County line to Monterey Bay, have agreed to delay the start of the 2025–26 season until a fair opening price is offered that is broadly available to the fleet. While state regulations allow fishermen to begin setting gear on January 2 and hauling crab on January 5, Dungeness crab will not be landed until a price agreement is reached.

The season opening for 2026 has been announced and gear can be set starting 1/2/26!

Links to CDFW and Archipelago for more information on the Electronic Monitoring required for Commercial Dungeness Crab for the 2025-2026 season.

PCFFA leaders joined visited Coleman National Fish Hatchery to thank the team behind one of the strongest salmon egg collections in decades, nearly 30 million. The visit marked a shared success between hatchery staff, agencies, and the fishing community, and a welcome sign of hope for the years ahead.

The Bridge Group brings fishermen, farmers, and scientists together to rebuild salmon runs in the Sacramento River Basin through habitat work, smarter hatchery releases, and innovative recovery projects.

The latest risk assessment points to a delayed crab season, with no commercial opening expected before January 2026. PCFFA continues tracking conditions.

The Dungeness Crab Task Force met this week with representatives from the fleet. A report from the meeting is anticpated in early December.

The Dungeness Crab Gear Working Group had their annual meeting on 10/01 to plan for the upcoming crab season

PCFFA urged Governor Newsom to sign AB 1514, extending the commercial fishing exemption through 2031 and protecting the fleet’s independence.

PCFFA warned that AB1056 carried no scientific basis and would harm California’s seafood supply chain, jobs, and working ports.

PCFFA warned that AB1056 carried no scientific basis and would harm California’s seafood supply chain, jobs, and working ports.

PCFFA called for a five-year extension of the AB 5 exemption to protect California’s independent fishing fleet and preserve crew-share agreements.

PCFFA warned that AB1056 carried no scientific basis and would harm California’s seafood supply chain, jobs, and working ports.

CFFA opposed AB1056 for bypassing California’s science-based fisheries management and replacing transparent review with political interference.

PCFFA called for a five-year extension of the AB 5 exemption to protect California’s independent fishing fleet and preserve crew-share agreements.