Sport Fishing on a Commercial Crab Boat

November 24, 2016

Question: Can commercial boats sport fish for Dungeness crab during the sport season when the commercial season is closed? (Anonymous)

Answer: Yes, if the commercial vessel is not engaged in any commercial activity (FGC, section 7856(f)), the commercial vessel does not hold a Dungeness crab vessel permit (CCR Title 14, section 132.1(a)), and everyone taking crab or fishing onboard has a sport fishing license and is following sport fishing regulations.

the commercial vessel does not hold a Dungeness crab vessel permit (CCR Title 14, section 132.1(a))

This is the key section of this answer.  I don't know of any commercial Dungeness crab boats that don't have a vessel permit.  The boat's permit regulates how many pots they can drop.  As I recall, they made the distinction two years ago.   It screwed over a couple party boat captains who ran combo trips before the commercial season started.   

I just thought I'd clarify just in case.