California Clears First Commercial “Pop-up” Gear Authorization for Dungeness Crab Fishery

SAN FRANCISCO — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has posted new information confirming the commercial authorization of “pop-up” gear as alternative gear for use in California’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery. Under California’s Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program, once authorized by the CDFW director, alternative gear can be used between April 1 and the close of the commercial Dungeness crab statutory season in areas otherwise closed to commercial Dungeness crab fishing to protect whales from entanglement.

CDFW’s website materials indicate that, as of January 2026, Sub Sea Sonics is the first alternative gear authorization approved, under a conditional authorization and general alternative gear conditions dated December 23, 2025.

Following is reaction from Dr. Francine Kershaw, senior scientist at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

"The authorization of pop-up gear for commercial use in California's Dungeness crab fishery starting April 1 is a landmark moment for whale-safe fishing. Pop-up fishing in places and at times when entanglement risk is high is a win for whales, for fishers, and for Californians who can now enjoy local whale-safe crab in the spring."

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).