Due to the continued presence of humpback whales off the Central Coast, the opening of crab season in local waters has been delayed yet again, the state Department of Fish & Wildlife announced Wednesday, Dec. 20.
The next assessment of the presence of whales, the department added, will take place on or around Jan. 11, after which the department will reevaluate the risk of whales getting entangled in crab fishing gear.
Starting Jan. 5, however, the department is allowing the commercial crab fishing season to begin from the Oregon state line to the Sonoma/Mendocino county line.
But for those who are waiting to feast of locally caught crab, the wait continues.