The much anticipated annual Dungeness crab sport fishery opens statewide on Nov. 6, according to the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG). Every November in northern and central California, the season opener triggers recreational crab fishing enthusiasts to set out in pursuit of these tasty crustaceans. Some will set hoop nets and crab traps from boats and piers, while others fish crab loop traps on the end of a fishing line. Still others will dive in the cold waters to take the crabs by hand.

The daily bag limit is 10 Dungeness crabs per person, except when fishing from a commercial passenger fishing vessel (or party boat) south of Mendocino County, in which case the limit is six. Dungeness crab may not be taken within San Francisco or San Pablo bays, which are important crab nursery areas. A legal-sized crab must be five and three-quarter inches measured by the shortest distance through the body from edge of shell to edge of shell directly in front of and excluding the points (lateral spines). Crabs taken from party boats must measure six inches minimum distance.

To estimate the recreational harvest of Dungeness crab, DFG conducted a coast-wide sampling effort for the first time last year. Biologists surveyed crabbers and collected catch and effort data. The data showed that more than 350,000 Dungeness crabs were taken by sport crabbers, with most of the catch coming in November and December.

"Crab abundance is cyclical and if the size of last year's commercial catch is a good indicator, it would appear the population may be moving into an upswing in the cycle," said DFG Senior Marine Biologist Pete Kalvass, who oversees the Invertebrate Management Project. "This could be good news for recreational crabbers as it might mean a satisfying season is ahead."

In California, Dungeness crab range from the California-Oregon border southward to Santa Barbara, although they are uncommon south of Point Conception. Dungeness crab prefer sandy or sand-mud bottom, but may be found on almost any sea floor habitat. They range from the intertidal zone to a depth of at least 750 ft., but are not abundant beyond 300 ft.

For more information regarding recreational Dungeness crab fishing regulations and other crab species, please visit the DFG Marine Region website at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/invertebrate/crabs.asp.

Photos of Dungeness crabs and DFG's Lt. Andy Roberts with a cooler full of crabs seized from poachers can be found online at www.dfg.ca.gov/news/news08/images/dungeness.