California officials will close commercial Dungeness crab season from Mendocino County to the Mexican border beginning April 8 to protect the increasing numbers of humpback whales returning to forage off the coast.
North of Mendocino County, crab fishing will also be restricted after 6 p.m. April 8, prohibiting crab traps used by commercial operators beyond the 30-fathom line off the coast, which is about 180 feet deep.
