Species
|
Yellow rock crab, Cancer anthonyi; Brown rock crab, Cancer antennarius; Red rock crab, Cancer productus |
Life history
(biology, habitat, range) |
Range throughout California coast; very little migration during lifetime
Waters from low intertidal zone to depths of 300 feet or more;
Habitat preference: Yellow prefer open-sand or soft-bottom habitat; Brown and Red prefer rocky or reef-type habitat
Spawning typically occurs in spring, but can happen at anytime of the year
Yellow and Brown reach sexual maturity after they molt 10 to 12 times (about 3 inches); Red unknown
Full size reached about 6-8 inches carapace width
Both predators and scavengers; feed on snails, clams, abatone, and oysters; fed upon by cabezon, barred sea bass, rockfish, octopus, sea stars; sea otters (only predator of large, full-shelled crabs) |
Stock assessment status |
No formal assessment |
Vulnerability |
None known |
Protected/declared species interactions |
|
Gear types |
Traps from small boats - Most trapping occurs in depths of 90-240 feet on open sandy bottom or near rocky reefs
200 or more traps may be fished by one boat; traps typically left in ocean for 48 hours to 96 hours prior to pulling
Recreational gear: Bailed hoop nets, collapsible star traps, commercial-type traps only north of Point Arguello |
Gear specifications |
Traps must include escape wings that are measured 3.25 inches across
Traps must be raised and emptied every 96 hours
Must be marked with buoys bearing commercial fishing license number issued to operator of trap |
Historic gear (and why discontinued if applicable) |
Following mid-1980s controversy over trap design and crab size limits, many fishermen were using more efficient small-mesh trap design (1x2-inch mesh) that resulted in catches composed of higher relative numbers of females and subadults. The trap design and requirements have since been modified to allow for the conservation of smaller rock crabs and other species. |
Associated conservation concerns |
N/A |
Management, commercial |
Jurisdiction(s) |
California Fish and Game Commission (Since 2002) |
FMP |
No |
Code sections |
14 CCR §630; FGC §8275, 8282, 8284, 9001, 9003-9006, 9011 |
Restricted access |
Southern Rock Crab Trap permit restricted; beginning with the 2007-2008 permit year, only persons who held a valid southern rock crab trap permit during immediately preceding permit year are eligible to obtain a permit for the following year
Northern Rock Crab Trap permits are open access (no moratorium) |
TAC |
No
Average landings weight was 1,117,750 lbs for 1997-2007
2006 commercial landings weight was 1,156,400 lbs for a value of $1,473,093 |
Current seasons, size limits, other restrictions |
Season year-round
Minimum size of 4.25 inches carapace width
Fishermen must carry and use measuring device
Cannot be taken under authority of a tidal invertebrate permit
Cannot be taken or possessed aboard a vessel being used to take Dungeness crab
Any species taken incidentally shall be released, except Kellet’s whelk, squid, and crabs that are not of the genus Cancer
No rock crab may be possessed aboard a vessel being used to take Dungeness crab |
Fishery closures/ MPAs |
No commercial take in state marine reserves or parks
No use of commercial rock crab traps in portions of Humboldt, San Pedro, San Diego bays, Santa Monica bays, and in certain areas around Anta Cotalina Island
Special gear restrictions in Santa Barbara, Anacopa, San Miguel Island Eco Reserve (14 CCR §630) |
Proposed regulations |
|
Recreational component |
No major established recreational fishing, but some occurs in conjunction with other recreational fishing activities |
Species |
All species |
Regulations |
Daily bag/possession limit of 35
Size limit: 4-inch minimum carapace width |
Social context |
Participation statewide |
No reference to rock crab in DFG record until 1928; prior to 1950, no separate category for reporting rock crab landings because they were typically grouped with Dungeness crab landings);
Southern Rock Crab permits issued in 2007: 134
Northern Rock Crab permits issued in 2007: 22 |
Participation by area |
Northern: Oregon-California border south to Lopez Point, Monterey County
Southern: Lopez Point to Cal-Mex border
Most active south of Morro bay (85%-90% of landings);
Commercial rock crabbing expanded from nearshore areas around major ports like San Diego, San Pedro, Santa Barbara and Morro Bay to more distant mainland areas and Channel islands |
Fishing and trade organizations |
Unknown |
Seafood industry context |
Product forms |
Often sold fresh in fish markets and cooked on site; frozen and canned fish crab meat has not yet been successfully marketed |
Seafood selector status |
N/A |
MSC certification status |
N/A |
Potential for value added |
Unknown |
Miscellaneous |
Sources |
DFG Marine Region 2004. Annual Status of the Fisheries Report Through 2003. Rock crab
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/status/report2003/rockcrabs.pdf
DFG Marine Region 2001. California’s Living Marine Resources: A Status Report. Rock crab http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/status/rock_crabs.pdf |
