Maritime Injury Law BlogRock Crab Fishing Returns to Northern California
After nearly a decade, commercial fishermen in northern California are once again permitted to harvest rock crab. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced the reopening of the commercial fishery along the coast from the California Oregon border south to the north jetty of Humboldt Bay. This long stretch of rock crab habitat has been closed since 2015 due to persistent domoic acid contamination.
The initial closure of this fishery stemmed from the most extensive recorded bloom of domoic acid along the West Coast. Emergency regulations were enacted, and despite subsequent declines in toxin levels, the area remained off limits through a series of state declarations due to a lack of consistent testing in the years that followed.
A turning point arrived with renewed engagement from commercial fishermen, who proactively began submitting rock crab samples from both central and northern California waters. These efforts proved successful, as recent testing now confirms that domoic acid levels in the newly reopened zone are safely below the federal action level of 30 parts per million for crab viscera.
The CDFW highlighted that the last commercial fishing activity in this far northern region occurred in May 2019, when a smaller area near Humboldt Bay was briefly reopened. Now, the entire stretch from the California Oregon border to the entrance of Humboldt Bay is officially open.
However, a portion of the coastline, extending from the Mendocino/Humboldt County line south to Cape Mendocino, remains closed pending further testing to ensure domoic acid levels are also safe in that area.
Historically, the reopened area has not been a major hub for commercial rock crab fishing. In the five years preceding the closure, only about 365 pounds of rock crab were landed, with a reported value of approximately $1,000. Nevertheless, the recent drive from fishermen indicates a potential for increased activity and economic opportunity in the future.
About Rock Crabs
Rock crabs belong to the family Cancridae and are a common sight along the Pacific coast of North America. Several species of rock crab inhabit California waters, with the most commercially important being the red rock crab (Cancer productus), the yellow rock crab (Cancer anthonyi), and the brown rock crab (Cancer antennarius). These species are distinguished by their coloration, size, and habitat preferences. Red rock crabs are typically the largest and possess a reddish-brown to brick-red carapace. Yellow rock crabs are characterized by their yellowish-brown shell with purple spots, while brown rock crabs are smaller and have a brownish carapace with light spots.
Rock crabs are benthic creatures, meaning they live on the ocean floor, often in rocky intertidal and subtidal zones, as well as in bays and estuaries. They are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on a variety of items including small crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and algae. Their strong claws are essential for crushing prey and for defense.
The health of rock crab populations can be impacted by various environmental factors, including water temperature, habitat availability, and the presence of toxins like domoic acid. Domoic acid is a neurotoxin produced by certain types of marine algae. When these algae bloom, filter-feeding organisms like crabs can accumulate the toxin in their tissues. While crabs themselves may not be significantly harmed by the toxin, consumption of contaminated crab by humans and other animals can lead to Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP), a serious illness characterized by gastrointestinal issues, neurological problems, and in some cases, memory loss. This is why regular testing and fishery closures are crucial when domoic acid blooms occur.
As the northern California rock crab fishery resumes, the CDFW is strongly advising participants to prioritize the reduction of whale entanglement risk. This includes avoiding setting gear when whales are in the vicinity and adhering to best practices such as maintaining taut vertical lines, minimizing floating slack, and trimming excess surface lines to prevent interactions with migrating whales. This renewed fishing opportunity comes with a responsibility to ensure the sustainability of both the crab population and the broader marine ecosystem.