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Whale Safe Fisheries

humpback whale fluke; Dungeness crabs; aerial photo of Farallon Islands; stack of Dungeness crab traps

Confirmed large whale entanglements off the U.S. West Coast increased during the 2014-2018 Large Marine Heatwave event. CDFW has taken several steps to better understand and address the causes of whale entanglements. For more details on management of the commercial and recreational crab fisheries, visit CDFW’s crab fishery page.

Check this page regularly for updates on CDFW's Whale Safe Fisheries efforts, including recent risk assessments, Conservation Plan developments and upcoming opportunities for public involvement. You may also sign up to receive important updates.

News and Updates 

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.  All documents are available under the 2024-25 Season section of the Risk Assessment tab.

Upcoming Risk Assessments for the 2024-25 Season (subject to change):

  • March 17-18
  • March 27-28
  • April 16-17
  • April 30-May 1

Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program (RAMP)

RAMP was piloted by the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group(opens in new tab) (Working Group) and codified in regulation on November 1, 2020. On a regular basis during the Dungeness crab season, CDFW assesses marine life entanglement risk for humpback whales, blue whales, and leatherback sea turtles based on the best available science related to confirmed entanglements and marine life concentrations. Marine life concentrations are monitored primarily through aerial and vessel surveys, as well as satellite telemetry conducted by CDFW and other partners.

When risk is elevated, CDFW consults with the Working Group to review other available information prior to implementing a management action. Potential actions include:

  • Fleet advisories
  • Fishing depth constraints
  • Vertical line/trap gear reductions
  • Fishery closures
  • Use of approved Alternative Gear (for closures after April 1)

All documents related to the risk assessments, including Available Data under consideration by CDFW and the Working Group, will be posted on this web page.

CDFW conducts Risk Assessments and applies Management Actions at the Fishing Zone level. Latitudinal boundaries for each Fishing Zone are as follows and shown in the map below. All Fishing Zones extend to 200 nautical miles offshore.

  • Zone 1: From the California/Oregon border (42° N. latitude) to Cape Mendocino (40° 10' N. latitude)
  • Zone 2: From Cape Mendocino to the Sonoma/Mendocino county line (38° 46.125' N. latitude)
  • Zone 3: From Sonoma/Mendocino county line to Pigeon Point (37° 11' N. latitude)
  • Zone 4: From Pigeon Point to Lopez Point (36° N. latitude)
  • Zone 5: From Lopez Point to Point Conception (34° 27 N. latitude)
  • Zone 6: From Point Conception to the U.S./Mexico Border
  • Zone 7*: “Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Foraging Area” from Point Arena (38° 57.5' N. latitude) to Point Pinos (36° 38.314' N. latitude) *not included in map
Map showing latitudinal boundaries of RAMP Fishing Zones 1-6 - click/tap to enlarge in new tab
(click to enlarge)

More Information about Whale Safe Fisheries

Marine Region (Region 7)
Regional Manager: Dr. Craig Shuman
Main Office: 20 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Suite 100, Monterey, CA  93940
AskMarine@wildlife.ca.gov  |  (831) 649-2870
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