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Whale entanglements, early domoic acid samples and new RAMP rules cloud Dungeness crab outlook

Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture · October 1, 2025

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Summary

State scientists and industry leaders said the Dungeness crab season faces multiple risks — humpback entanglements, domoic acid sampling and market timing — while new RAMP regulations and phased gear-marking aim to reduce entanglement risk. Industry urged data-based reevaluation of RAMP triggers and use of trapped-tag surplus funds for mitigation.

Dr. Craig Schuman, Marine Region Manager at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, briefed the committee on the upcoming 2025–26 Dungeness crab season and the department's adoption of ramp-2 management rules. He noted three confirmed humpback entanglements in commercial crab gear in 2025 and said that under ramp-2 entanglement triggers the department could delay a season opener until January 1 if thresholds are met. Schuman also reported initial domoic acid samples: "we have hot crab, 3 of them out of the first sampling out of Trinidad," and said routine testing and protocols are in place.

Industry and conservation speakers emphasized the economic stakes of holiday openings. Lisa Damrosch (PCFFA) urged revisiting the RAMP triggers, calling them originally "not based on science" and argued for updated thresholds informed by new data. Fleet leaders described pilot successes with alternative gear (grapple/pop-up systems and ropeless tests) and a new Fisherman's Gear Recovery Network to collect lost gear.

Task-force and agency representatives discussed the Dungeness crab account surplus (trap-tag funds). The task force recommended either depositing surplus into an interest-bearing management account or reducing fees so the surplus benefits the fleet; they warned that multiple fishery code sections will sunset in 2029 without legislative action.

Committee members asked for follow-up analysis on the trap-tag surplus, worst-case enforcement funding scenarios, and timelines for ramp implementation. No regulatory changes were adopted during the hearing.