Again this year, California officials are delaying the state’s commercial Dungeness crab season because of the “numerous reports” throughout 2025 of migrating humpback whales getting ensnared by old crab-pot fishing lines and other gear.

The upcoming season normally would start Nov. 15 in coastal waters from the Oregon state line to the Mexican border. The next assessment will take place in mid-December, which could allow for the season to open around Jan. 1. But that means commercially caught crab will not appear on holiday dinner tables in 2025.

Recreational crabbers will be allowed to begin their season — with restrictions — in many parts of the state. However, a toxin found in Northern California waters will postpone fishing there.

The decisions came down Friday afternoon from Charl

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