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.

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