The official word: No word yet. Unofficially? Maybe later.

Possible Delay of Nov. 7, 2015 Recreational Dungeness Crab Season Opener

Dungeness crab  CDFW photo by C. Juhasz The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is cooperating with other state agencies in the collection and testing of Dungeness crab for domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin produced by microscopic marine algae, to determine if eating sport-caught crab will be safe for the public when the season opens. Serious consideration is being given to delaying the recreational fishery opener on Nov. 7, 2015, but no decision has yet been made. CDFW will issue a press release immediately with more information, once a decision has been made. Please access one of the following sources for up-to-date information concerning recreational Dungeness crab season dates and related information: Call the California Department of Public Health Shellfish Biotoxin Information line at: (510) 412-4643or toll-free at (800) 553- 4133 for any crab consumption advisories, or check CDFW's Finfish and Shellfish Health Advisories web page. Sign up for the CDFW Marine Region News Service to receive the latest information about the recreational Dungeness crab season. Check the Marine Region News web page for a press release with information about the Dungeness crab recreational fishery opening date. Call or drop by your local Marine Region CDFW office for the latest information before heading out on a crabbing trip. That's the official word from CDFW. Separately, unofficially, I hear that there may have been a few high readings from some of the recently tested crabs and that the season will be delayed. There are smart people meeting Tuesday and Wednesday to figure out how they're going to handle it. It sounds like if they close Dungeness they will close the reds as well. The announcement will be on Thursday. If you have reservations at the Landing for this weekend and don't want to come if there's no crabbing, we don't blame you and we are waiving the 72 hour cancellation rule. No refunds, but you can cancel at the last minute for this weekend at no penalty.