Every year, San Franciscans eagerly await Dungeness crab season, when crowds flock to the pier to purchase the decedent sea creature right off the boats. In recent years, Dungeness crab season has seen significant delays, and the tradition of a holiday crab in the city has been postponed.
Last year, the commercial crabbing season was delayed until January 18, an unusually long delay. Now, it looks like there will be similar delays this year. Fish and Wildlife announced that commercial crabbing will be delayed in the zones around San Francisco until mid-December when they will reevaluate.
Why is Dungeness crab season delayed?
The coast of California is divided into six zones, with each area being evaluated for the right conditions to allow crabbing. In the areas near Mendocino, Humboldt, and Del Norte counties, crab meat quality tests were unable to be conducted due to high domoic acid and the presence of whales that posed a risk of entanglement. The season will be delayed until at least December 16th, according to a recent statement by the department.
For the areas around San Francisco and south of the city (zones three through six), the presence of whales has delayed commercial crabbing due to entanglements that have occurred this year. The delay in crabbing will allow the whales to safely migrate and avoid the risk of entanglements with commercial fisheries. Fish and Wildlife will make another assessment on December 5th to determine if another delay is necessary in these areas.
Dungeness crab has been a San Francisco staple for more than 100 years. Early fishermen would boil the tasty crustaceans in cauldrons at Fisherman’s Wharf. Soon, crab became a staple in San Francisco restaurants and a culinary tradition in the city, particularly around the holidays. When commercial crabbing season does open, we recommend going to Fisherman’s Wharf to buy it right off the boat for the freshest crab.
You can find more information about crabbing season at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Department website.