Commercial crab fishing season to open next weekend

The commercial Dungeness crab fishing season for part of Northern California including the Monterey Bay is set to open on March 26 th after being delayed for months due to unsafe levels of domoic acid.

Jordan Traverso, a spokesperson for The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, told KION fishermen can start gathering their gear on Friday, March 25 th to prepare for the season to open.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, recent test results show the domoic acid levels in crabs off the California coast south of the Mendocino/Sonoma County line no longer pose a human health risk.

The fishery will open at 12:01 a.m. on March 26 th .

Closures are still in place north of the Mendocino/Sonoma County line for Dungeness crab commercial and recreational fisheries.

Central Coast crab fishermen have been hit hard financially after the season was shut down.

The commercial and recreational Dungeness crab seasons will end on June 30 th , but the CDFW director does have the authority to extend the commercial season.