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As expected, the commercial Dungeness crab season in all zones is delayed until the next working group meeting on December 17. For ongoing updates from CDFW on season opening status, check here.

The Dungeness Crab Task Force (DCTF) has also released their report from the October 15-16, 2025 meeting, containing 2025 recommendations submitted to CDFW, the Fish and Game Commission, and the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released a Request for Information for the 2025 Five-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program—the blueprint that will determine where new offshore drilling could occur from 2025 through 2030. BOEM has included all 27 federal planning areas—even those long protected by law, moratoria, or presidential withdrawal—such as waters adjacent to the Monterey Bay, Channel Islands, and Farallon Islands National Marine Sanctuaries. While no specific lease sites have been proposed, this inclusion signals a potential rollback of decades of bipartisan coastal protection.

Please consider making a public comment on the proposed plan. For more information, check out https://www.savemycoast.org/.

The California Fish and Game Commission will meet in Sacramento (and online) December 10-11th. Ocean issues will be discussed on the 11th, including:  

• Consider adopting a second 90-day extension of emergency regulations related to the commercial take of coonstripe shrimp.
• Topics discussed at the Nov. Marine Resources Committee meeting
• Several recreational items and general public comment

The Pacific Fishery Management Council held its November meeting, addressing key West Coast fishery management issues. 

Meeting highlights included:

• Council adopted interim final default 2027-28 overfishing limits (OFLs), P*/acceptable biological catches (ABCs), and annual catch limits (ACLs) for several key Groundfish species (see Table 1)
• Final 2026 salmon management schedule, including tentative date for public hearing Monday, March 23 in Santa Rosa, California.

Mark Calendar for Future Meeting: March 4-9, 2026 in Sacramento, CA

Writer Mark C. Anderson recently participated in the Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) and shared his reflections on the experience. From learning about fisheries management to understanding the complexities of policy-making, Anderson's story offers an insightful look into what MREP participants gain from this unique program. Read his full story to discover the key lessons and connections he made along the way.

The Ocean Protection Council will meet on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The OPC addresses issues affecting California's ocean and coastal resources, including fisheries management, marine protected areas, and ocean health.

The Golden State Salmon Association has released their comprehensive State of the Salmon Fishery Report, providing a detailed overview of California's regulatory timeline, ocean salmon abundance trends, hatchery operations, and the socioeconomic impacts affecting our fishing communities. This report is an essential resource for understanding the current state of salmon fisheries in California. Read the full report here.

Ocean Protection Council Meeting

December 9

CA Fish & Game Commission Meeting

December 10-11

Santa Cruz Harbor Port Commission Meeting

December 23

Moss Landing Harbor Meeting

December 24

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