Dungeness crabbing has started to slowly pick up, so that's why the commercial season is being closed. Or, it just seems like that to the commercial guys with traps. They have to have their gear retrieved by 6 PM April 30. Sport traps will remain acceptable in our area until we told otherwise, but probably in May. The strange reason why we are allowed to use traps and the commercials aren't is because some of the commercial guys went ahead and purchased so-called "ropeless" gear that they could theoretically use when whales were around without entangling a cetacean. Theoretically because they haven't had many opportunities to use this gear yet, and considering what they paid for it, they're a bit anxious. So, the whales aren't really here, but they could show up soon, and these guys paid a bunch of money and were promised an opportunity, they get to go and we get to go, until whales are actually here, and then it'll be just them and us with hoops. Clear as mud.

    On the subject of simple regulations, salmon will be open here from June 27 through July 22, and then reopen again on August 1 through August 31, unless the quota of 34,900 salmon are caught or are close to being caught. The quota is for the area between Gualala and Pigeon Point, so it includes the San Francisco Bay area, Half Moon Bay, and Bodega and Tomales Bays. Last year, 14,000 salmon were caught in four days. If fishing is good, the season will not make it to the end. On the other hand, the Great Blob of 2026 is happening, creating a marine heat wave that is, well, precedented, but certainly alarming. It looks a lot like 2015. That year was tough fishing in the shallows as the water surface temps hit 65º by late July. Bad for salmon but good for yellowtail, bluefin, bonito, and white sea bass. So maybe we'll get a full season for salmon because we can't catch them. Seems about right. They're catching more bonito in Santa Cruz right now than salmon, so.... Also, San Diego boats are catching yellowfin and dorado like it's late August. Things are messed up. Welcome to California.