Why are Dungeness crabs in San Francisco Bay Protected?

November 7, 2013

Question: Why it is illegal to keep Dungeness crabs from San Francisco Bay? (Judy K.)

Answer: San Francisco Bay is an important Dungeness crab nursery area, so that’s the reason this area has always been considered off limits to the take of Dungeness crab by both sport and commercial fishermen.

November 7, 2013

Question: Why it is illegal to keep Dungeness crabs from San Francisco Bay? (Judy K.)

Answer: San Francisco Bay is an important Dungeness crab nursery area, so that’s the reason this area has always been considered off limits to the take of Dungeness crab by both sport and commercial fishermen.

I remember catching and releasing 60 legal size Dungies off of Fort Mason pier around 25 years ago. Ended up with around 2 rock crabs that day 

SF bay is Dungeness spawning grounds. During the winter sometimes hook baby dungies sturgeon fishing near Martinez.