By Dave Hurley
SAN FRANCISCO – There are new regulations for hoop nets in waters north of Point Arguello in Santa Barbara County, and they will affect private boaters for the upcoming Dungeness crab season. The following is a compilation of the new regulations specific to northern California:
New Marking Requirements – Allow one additional buoy
• An optional marker buoy no larger than 6 inches in diameter and 14 inches in length may be used. It must be solid orange and contain a unique letter marking “H” that is at least 2 inches in height and ¼” thick located on two opposing sides of the buoy.
• Orange marker buoy with letter H that is to be marked on two opposing sides of buoy. Diameter of buoy is no greater than 6 inches and the length is no greater than 14 inches.
• Allow surface line length between the main buoy and marker buoy to be up to 12 feet – When using more than 6 feet of line it will need to be marked as shown below.
• Except on public piers, you cannot use more than two (2) rods and lines, two (2) hand lines, or two (2) nets, traps or other legal devices (including hoop nets) to take crabs.
• Hoop nets must be serviced every 2 hours; it is unlawful to abandon or leave unchecked a hoop net for more than 2 hours. Any hoop net left unchecked or abandoned for more than 2 hours may be seized.
• Surface Buoy Marking Requirements (statewide): A main buoy is required for hoop nets used offshore (does not include piers and jetties). Main buoys are no larger than 6 inches in diameter and 14 inches in length and must be marked as follows: 1. CPFV – vessel registration number, 2. Licensed Guide – ID Number, 3. For all other cases – Operator’s 10-digit GO ID Number
• When using greater than 6 feet of surface line, the line must be marked with a 24 to 26-inch solid orange color located at the terminal end of the line adjacent to the marker buoy and next to a 24 to 26-inch solid purple mark with no unmarked line between the two colors. Statewide Legal Hoop Net Configurations Hoop Net Type A (see example in Figure 3)
• Fishing gear that is comprised of one (1) to three (3) rigid ring(s), with each ring measuring no greater than 36 inches in inside diameter nor less than 10 inches in inside diameter, which is/are connected to non-metallic soft mesh thereby forming a circular-shaped net with an enclosed bottom.
• Lift lines shall be attached only to the top ring.
• A second and third rigid ring(s) may be connected by non-metallic soft mesh to the top ring; however, each ring must be equal in size to or smaller than the ring above it.
• When the net is raised the top ring shall be above and parallel to all other rings, with the enclosed bottom portion of the non-metallic soft mesh even with or hanging below all other rings.
• All parts of the hoop net shall collapse and lie flat when resting on the ocean floor in such a manner that the gear does not entrap or restrict the free movement of crustaceans until lifted.
• When suspended from lift lines, the entire hoop net shall measure no taller than 36 inches.
• The ring material shall not be thicker than one (1) inch in any dimension.
Detailed information on the regulations is available at https://cdfwmarine.wordpress.com/2025/12/29/new-hoop-net-and-trap-fishing-regulations-for-2026/
