New Rules in California’s Recreational Crab Fishery Will Help Prevent Animal Entanglements | Oceana

Victory | August 31, 2025

New Rules in California’s Recreational Crab Fishery Will Help Prevent Animal Entanglements

California adopted new rules to cut whale and sea turtle entanglements in the recreational Dungeness crab fishery. The new rules, adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission after campaigning by Oceana and our allies, are consistent with those for the commercial fishery, requiring closure in response to entanglements and unique line markings to easily identify the source in the event of entanglement. Entanglement in fishing gear is a top threat to endangered animals off the West Coast, including humpback whales and leatherback sea turtles.