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CDFW opened the commercial dungeness crab fishery in Fishing Zones 3, 4 and 5 on January 5, under a 40% Gear Reduction. RAMP fishing zones 6 and 7 were removed. 

The northern areas (Zones 1 and 2) opened later (January 15th and January 30 in Humboldt County) due to entanglement risk, crab meat quality issues, and elevated levels of domoic acid. Check out the Whale Safe Fisheries page for more information, as well as the CDFW Director's declaration and fishing FAQs document. 

Expanding your gear set to whale-safe Dungeness fishing requires a big investment with many unknowns. California FarmLink, a nonprofit lender, wants to help lower the barrier for crabbers.

FarmLink’s loans now offer discounted 3.5% rates and flexible terms designed specifically for crabbers looking to update to CDFW-approved whale safe gear. They are building partnerships to streamline the loan application process and access additional funding sources. If you plan to fish the spring season extensions, or have any other financing needs, FarmLink wants to ensure you have the resources to make it happen. Learn more at californiafarmlink.org 

Questions? Reach out to Matt Hess, Loan Officer

Email: matt@cafarmlink.org

Phone: (831) 231-6157

The Euphotic Foundation is here to help small-scale commercial fishermen and aquaculture operators along the California coast keep their businesses running strong. They offer grants to cover everyday expenses, gear upgrades, and emergency needs — so you can focus on fishing sustainably and safely.

Expenditure Responsibility Grants (ERGs)

These grants help cover operational costs like:

• Fuel, bait, and tackle
• Boat and engine repairs
• New gear and permits
• Labor costs

Applications are accepted twice a year (Jan 1–May 31 and Sep 1–Dec 31). Funds must be used for approved expenses or repaid.

Hardship Grants (HGs)

If an unexpected emergency hits — like gear failure or urgent repairs — Hardship Grants can help. Available only to current ERG recipients, these grants are:

• Reviewed within 7 days
• Paid within 3 days of approval
• Capped at $2,000 or 20% of your ERG

Eligibility:

• Small-scale commercial fishing or aquaculture businesses based in California
• Must follow sustainable fishing practices and maintain traceability

How to Apply:

Apply online (preferred) or via paper forms through Euphotic’s grant portal. ERGs are seasonal, HGs are available year-round under certain conditions.

Learn more & apply: Euphotic Foundation Grants

The Fishermen’s Gear Recovery Network, run by the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA), is a fishermen-led program that helps coordinate this work and provides support to port representatives in the recovery of lost Dungeness crab gear. CDFW regulations allow gear retrieval after the season closes in two ways: Authorized Retrieval and Permitted Retrieval. Ports and fishermen can sign up here:

https://www.pcffa.org/network-ports 

February 11th - 12th

The Fish and Game Commission meets starting at 1pm February 11th. To join the meeting remotely via Zoom (video and audio), click directly on the meeting link here. You can access detailed instructions for joining by phone or Zoom by clicking here or visit the Commission meetings page at fgc.ca.gov/meetings.

On the Agenda are several amendment requests for Experimental Fishing Permits (EFPs) for using pop-up gear in the Dungeness and Rock Crab Fisheries.

For more information, see the full meeting agenda Here.

NOAA Fisheries has announced an emergency rule to increase harvest specifications and sector allocations for shortspine thornyhead, canary rockfish, and petrale sole. This increase in harvest specifications is based on new, recently discovered information from the latest catch-only projections, which show a higher biomass of these species available for harvest in 2026 than determined by stock assessments used to set the 2025-26 harvest specifications and management measures. 

After a public comment period, in which MBFT signed on to an industry letter, as well as contributed images and a quote, the Council has voted, and NMFS approved this additional allocation of important trawl species.

For more information visit the Federal Register Page HERE

CA Fish & Game Commission Meeting

February 11-12

Santa Cruz Harbor Port Commission Meeting

February 24

Moss Landing Harbor Meeting

February 25

Pacific Fisheries Management Council Meeting

March 4-9

FGC Marine Resources Meeting

March 12

Ocean Protection Council Meeting

March 23

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