2024 Dungeness Crab Season

April 8, 2024

While you may have heard that the Monterey Bay commercial Crab season is now closed to protect migrating whales, what you may not have heard is that it is STILL OPEN to Crab fishermen who are using the new, experimental, pop-up "whale friendly" gear. We do have some local boats who will be crabbing with this gear so as of now, we still have plenty of live local Dungeness Crab in stock.

We have live Crab tanks which gives us the ability to keep Crab in stock with the greatest freshness- alive! It doesn't get much fresher than that. 🤗 Depending on the conditions here in our bay, we may also be bringing down Dungeness from Northern California where the season is still open.

Stay Tuned! 🦀📲 Text "HHFRESHFISH" to (984) 205-2382 to subscribe to our Only Fins Catch Alerts.

January 17, 2024

Crab enthusiasts, it's time to celebrate! 🦀 The long-awaited Santa Cruz County commercial Dungeness Crab season is finally here, starting Jan. 18. And for our recreational crabbers – no more trap restrictions in our neck of the woods!

We've had a bit of a bumpy ride to get here, with the season opening pushed back from November to now. The reason? Keeping our humpback whales 🐋 and precious sea life safe from fishing gear entanglements.

Here's the deal: commercial fishers in our area (Zones 3 to 6) will be rolling with half their usual crab traps. It's a move to protect the whales while letting our hardworking fishers do their thing. There's a pre-soak period starting Jan. 15 – the traps go in, but the crabs stay put until the 18th.

Be the first to know when local Dungeness Crab becomes available! 🦀📲 Text "HHFRESHFISH" to (984) 205-2382.

December 18, 2023

LIVE Oregon Dungeness Crab is here! (The local commercial Crab season is still closed pending whale migration.) While we are not taking special orders for Crab, we expect to have enough to last us through the Christmas holiday. We only have it live or live-cleaned as of today but we expect to have some cooked in the next day or two as well. Current market price is $15/lb Regular, $16/lb Jumbo (2 + lbs) and $14/lb Flawed (missing a claw.) Bring a bucket and come on down! We are open 12/24 from 9am-2pm and closed Christmas Day. We look forward to helping you!

December 3, 2023

The LIVE Dungeness Crab we brought down from Washington is now sold out. The local commercial Crab season is still closed pending whale migration. The next fly-over the Monterey Bay to assess the situation will be mid December. Fingers crossed! Stay tuned for when we may get more wether from the Pacific Northwest or local.

Be the first to know when Dungeness Crab becomes available! 🦀📲 Text "HHFRESHFISH" to (984) 205-2382.

November 15, 2023

🚨 Exciting news: LIVE Dungeness Crab from Washington just arrived at our Harbor shop. We've got them just in time for you for the holidays. Available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please also remember to bring a bucket 🪣 or container for your ocean treasures.

Be the first to know when LOCAL Dungeness Crab becomes available! 🦀📲 Text "HHFRESHFISH" to (984) 205-2382.

November 3, 2023

Today's update revolves around a burning question: Will Dungeness Crab be on the Thanksgiving menu? Although the local catch might be taking its time, Hans is pulling all the stops to ensure we have Dungeness for your Thanksgiving celebrations.

October 27, 2023

Hey, crab lovers! 🦀 Quick heads-up: California's Dungeness crab season is pressing the snooze button to keep some whale friends safe from crab traps. 🐋🚫 The area from Sonoma to Mexico is particularly whale-popular right now!

Originally, crab season was all set for Nov. 15, but the CDFW has delayed this. They'll check the situation by Nov. 17, hoping for a grand start possibly by Dec. 1. 🗓️🤞

October 24, 2023

As of now, there are no new updates on the season. Indications suggest a potential delay again this year. Stay tuned.