# California delays Dungeness crab season

> California pushes crab season to January, missing Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.
- Title: California delays Dungeness crab season · Sfchronicle
- Summary: California pushes crab season to January, missing Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.
- Keywords: california, dungeness crab, crab season, whale entanglements, humpback whales, endangered species act, fishing gear, domoic acid, crab fishing, recreational crab season, commercial crab season, humboldt county
- Source: Sfchronicle — https://sfchronicle.com/california/article/crab-season-22502921.php
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: california, dungeness crab, crab season, whale entanglements, humpback whales, endangered species act, fishing gear, domoic acid, crab fishing, recreational crab season, commercial crab season, humboldt county
## California delays crab season
California’s Dungeness crab season is delayed until at least January, missing Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.
## Whale entanglements cause delay
Nine humpback whales confirmed entangled in fishing gear off California coast since January, four caught in crab gear.
## State regulations require delay
State rules require crab season pause when humpback whales are entangled in fishing gear, threshold surpassed this year.
## Recreational season proceeds
Recreational crab season starts November 7 with trap number restrictions, Humboldt and Mendocino counties remain closed.
## Dungeness crab value
Last year’s crab catch appraised at $56 million, making it California’s most economically valuable fishery.
## Environmental concerns
Environmental groups push for shorter seasons and less harmful fishing gear to reduce whale entanglements.
## Fishermen’s resistance
Fishermen say pop-up fishing gear is impractical for large-scale use, preferring traditional traps.
## Key takeaway

California delays Dungeness crab season until January due to whale entanglements, affecting holiday crab availability.