CDFW Fishing Zone 4

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) advises the public not to consume northern anchovies harvested from waters between: Pigeon Point, San Mateo County (37⁰ 11.00’ N. lat.) and Point Lobos, Monterey County (36⁰ 31.46’ N. Lat.)

CDFW has enacted a restriction on the commercial and recreational take of northern anchovy for human consumption in the Monterey Bay area, from Pigeon Point, San Mateo County (37° 11.000’ N. lat.) south to Point Lobos, Monterey County (36° 31.461’ N. lat.). State health agencies recommended the restriction after determining anchovies contain elevated levels of domoic acid. Commercial take of northern anchovy for bait use is allowed, though any anchovy sold as dead bait must be clearly labeled as not for human consumption or use in pet food. Recreational take is restricted to bait use only.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is lifting its health advisory for commercially harvested Pacific sardines and Northern anchovies from waters between: Pigeon Point, San Mateo County (37⁰ 11.00' N. lat.) and Point Lobos, Monterey County (36⁰ 31.46' N. Lat.).

In waters south of Pigeon Point, San Mateo County (37⁰ 11.000’ N. lat.) to a line due west from Point Lobos, Monterey County (36⁰ 31.461’ N. lat.), the commercial take of northern anchovy and Pacific sardine for human consumption has been restricted. Commercial take of northern anchovy and Pacific sardine for bait use is allowed, though any anchovy or sardine sold as dead bait must be clearly labeled as not for human consumption or use in pet food. The fishery restrictions only apply to northern anchovy and Pacific sardine, which have been found to have high levels of domoic acid in samples. This restriction does not apply to other finfish.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) advises the public not to consume commercially harvested Pacific sardines and Northern anchovies from waters between: Pigeon Point, San Mateo County (37⁰ 11.00' N. lat.) to Point Lobos, Monterey County (36⁰ 31.46' N. Lat.).

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on May 15, 2026, and is implementing a Crab Trap Prohibition for the recreational fishery in Fishing Zone 3 and continuing the Crab Trap Prohibition in Fishing Zones 4-5. A Fleet Advisory will remain in place for all Fishing Zones. The Director is also continuing the 15% Gear Reduction and 30-fathom Depth Constraint in Fishing Zones 1-2 for the commercial fishery. Fishing Zones 3-5 are closed for the remainder of the season, with Alternative Gear authorized for use. Director’s Declaration (PDF) May 15, 2026 CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) May 15, 2026 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) May 12, 2026

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on April 17, 2026 and is continuing the 15% Gear Reduction in Fishing Zones 1-2 and implementing a 30-fathom Depth Constraint effective April 30, 2026, at 6p.m. For Fishing Zone 3, a Fishery Zone Closure will be effective April 30, 2026, at 6p.m. and the authorization of Alternative Gear effective May 7, 2026, at 7a.m. For the recreational fishery, the Crab Trap Prohibition will continue in Fishing Zones 4-5 and a Fleet Advisory for all Fishing Zones. Director’s Declaration (PDF) April 17, 2026 CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) April 17, 2026 Working Group Recommendation (PDF) April 15, 2026 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) April 14, 2026

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on April 3, 2026 and is continuing the 15% Gear Reduction in Fishing Zones 1-2 and 40% Gear Reduction in Fishing Zone 3. Fishing Zones 4 and 5 closed for the season on March 27, 2026, and Alternative Gear is authorized for use effective April 3, 2026, for the remainder of the statutory season. For the recreational fishery, the Crab Trap Prohibition in Fishing Zones 4-5 will continue as well as the Fleet Advisory for all Fishing Zones. CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) April 3, 2026 Working Group Recommendation (PDF) April 1, 2026 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) March 30, 2026

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on March 13, 2026, and announced the season closure for the commercial fishery in Fishing Zones 4 and 5, effective March 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., and a continuation of the existing 15% Gear Reduction in Fishing Zones 1 and 2 and 40% Gear Reduction in Fishing Zone 3. Alternative Gear is authorized for use on April 3, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. for Fishing Zones 4 and 5. The Director also announced a recreational Crab Trap Prohibition for Fishing Zones 4 and 5, effective March 27, 2026, at 6:00p.m. A Fleet Advisory remains for all Fishing Zones. Director’s Declaration (PDF) March 13, 2026 CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) March 13, 2026 Working Group Recommendation (PDF) March 11, 2026 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) March 10, 2026

The commercial Dungeness crab fishery will close on March 27, 2026, at 6 p.m. in Fishing Zones 4 and 5 (Pigeon Point, 37°11' N Latitude to Point Conception, 34°27' N Latitude) at which time the commercial take and possession of Dungeness crab from those waters is prohibited unless using alternative gear, the use of which is authorized beginning April 3, 2026. This is the first time CDFW has authorized the use of alternative gear, or pop-up fishing gear, in the commercial Dungeness crab fishery. The use of approved alternative gear in Fishing Zones 4 and 5 will be allowed beginning April 3, 2026, at 7 a.m. The commercial fishery will remain open in Fishing Zones 1, 2, and 3 (California/Oregon border to Pigeon Point) under existing crab trap reductions. A recreational crab trap restriction will go into effect on March 27, 2026, at 6 p.m., in Fishing Zones 4 and 5. Recreational crabbers may not use crab traps in those fishing zones for the rest of the season, but take of Dungeness crab by other methods (including hoop nets and crab snares) will be allowed. The next risk assessment will take place in early April 2026.

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on December 19, 2025, and will open the Fishing Season for the commercial fishery in Fishing Zones 3, 4, and 5 on January 5, 2026, at 12:01am, under a 40% Gear Reduction. A gear setting period for Fishing Zones 3-5 would begin on January 2, 2025, at 8:01am. Fishing Zones 1 and 2 will open with a 15% Gear Reduction once domoic acid and quality testing requirements are met. Currently, Fishing Zones 1 and 2 will be delayed until at least January 15, 2026, pending testing requirements. The Director is also lifting the Crab Trap Prohibition for the recreational fishery in Fishing Zones 1, 3, and 4, effective January 2, 2026, at 8:01am. Director's Declaration (PDF) December 19, 2025 CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) December 19, 2025 Working Group Recommendation (PDF) December 17, 2025 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) December 15, 2025

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on June 13, 2025, and is implementing a season closure of the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in Fishing Zones 1 and 2, effective June 20, 2025, at 6:00 pm. There is also a continuation of the temporary crab trap restriction in the recreational crab fishery in Fishing Zones 3 and 4 through the remainder of the statutory season. Director’s Declaration (PDF) June 13, 2025 CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) June 13, 2025 Working Group Recommendation (PDF) June 12, 2025 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) June 10, 2025

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on May 19, 2025, and is continuing the 25% Gear Reduction and 30-Fathom Depth Constraint in Fishing Zones 1 and 2. The Crab Trap Prohibition in Fishing Zones 3 and 4 and Fleet Advisory for all open Fishing Zones for the recreational fishery will continue. CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) May 19, 2025 Working Group Recommendation (PDF) May 16, 2025 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) May 14, 2025

The Director of CDFW continued the 25% Gear Reduction in Fishing Zones 1-2 and implemented a 30-fathom Depth Constraint. The 50% Gear Reduction was also continued along with an additional 30-fathom Depth Constraint in Fishing Zone 3. A Season Closure for the commercial fishery in Fishing Zones 4-6 and a crab trap prohibition for the recreational fishery in Fishing Zone 4 were also announced. These actions will be effective April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. A Fleet Advisory will be maintained for all Fishing Zones for both the commercial and recreational fisheries. Director's Declaration (PDF) April 3, 2025 CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) April 3, 2025 Working Group Recommendation (PDF) April 2, 2025 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data Document (PDF) March 28, 2025

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on March 17, 2025, and will continue the current Gear Reductions for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery and Fleet Advisory for both the commercial and recreational fisheries. Fishing Zones 1 and 2 will continue the 25% Gear Reduction and Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5, and 6 will continue the 50% Gear Reduction. CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) March 17, 2027 Working Group Recommendation (PDF) March 14, 2025 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) March 12, 2025

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on February 13, 2025, and will continue the current Gear Reductions for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery and Fleet Advisory for both the commercial and recreational fisheries. Fishing Zones 1 and 2 will continue the 25% Gear Reduction and Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5, and 6 will continue the 50% Gear Reduction. CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) February 13, 2025 Working Group Recommendation (PDF) February 11, 2025 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) February 10, 2025

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on January 22, 2025, and will continue the current Gear Reductions for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery and Fleet Advisory for both the commercial and recreational fisheries. Fishing Zones 1 and 2 will continue the 25% Gear Reduction and Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5, and 6 will continue the 50% Gear Reduction. CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) January 16, 2025 Working Group Recommendation (PDF) January 15, 2025 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) January 13, 2025

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on December 20, 2024 and announced the commercial Dungeness crab fishery will open in Fishing Zones 3-6 beginning on January 5, 2025, at 12:01 am with pre-soak to begin on January 2, 2025, at 8:01am. This area will be subject to a 50% Gear Reduction. Fishing Zones 1-2 will be further delayed due to the inability to conduct meat quality testing. The season will automatically open on January 15, 2025, at 12:01 am under a 25% Gear Reduction. The pre-soak period will begin on January 12, 2025, at 8:01am. The recreational crab trap restriction in Fishing Zones 3 and 4 will also be lifted effective 8:01am on January 2, 2025. The Fleet Advisory for both the recreational and commercial fisheries remains in effect. Director's Declaration (PDF) December 20, 2024 CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) December 19, 2024 Working Group Recommendation (PDF) December 18, 2024 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) December 16, 2024

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on December 6, 2024 and delayed opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season in Fishing Zones 1-6. The crab trap prohibition in the recreational fishery will continue in Fishing Zones 3 and 4 along with a recreational Fleet Advisory for all Fishing Zones. CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) December 4, 2024 Working Group Recommendation (PDF) December 4, 2024 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) December 3, 2024

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on November 21, 2024, and is delaying the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season in Fishing Zones 1 and 2 and continuing the delay for Fishing Zones 3-6. The recreational crab trap prohibition in Fishing Zones 3 and 4, and the Fleet Advisory for Fishing Zones 1-6 remain in effect. Director's Declaration (PDF) November 21, 2024 CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) November 21, 2024 Working Group Recommendation (PDF) November 19, 2024 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) November 15, 2024

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on October 25, 2024, and delayed the opening of the Dungeness crab season in Fishing Zones 3-6, implemented a recreational crab trap prohibition in Fishing Zones 3 and 4, and issued a Fleet Advisory for Fishing Zones 1-6 for the recreational fishery. Director’s Declaration (PDF) October 25, 2024 CDFW Final Assessment and Management Recommendation (PDF) October 25, 2024 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data UPDATED (PDF) October 22, 2024 CDFW Preliminary Assessment and Available Data (PDF) October 18, 2024 2023-24 Season