Fish and Game Code Section 8276.2(c) provides the Director with the authority to delay the December 1 opening, due to soft-shell or poor quality crab conditions, in Fish and Game Districts 6, 7, 8 & 9 (Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties) for a minimum of 15 days.

Crab quality tests conducted in northern California on October 22 and November 9, 2011, indicate the crabs will not be ready for harvest on December 1, 2011. Based on these data and the interest in cooperatively managing the interstate Dungeness crab fishery, I am delaying the opening of Dungeness crab season in northern California (Districts 6, 7, 8 & 9) until 12:01 a.m. December 16, 2011. Additional crab testing is planned for November 30, 2011 and later, if necessary, to estimate the improvement in crab condition, after which time an additional delay may be necessary.

Pursuant to Fish and Game Code 8276.3(b), the opening date in Districts 6, 7, 8 & 9 shall be preceeded by a 36-hour gear setting period. Therefore, crab gear may be set no earlier than 12:01 a.m. on December 14, 2011, unless an additional 15-day delay decision is made before that date.

As provided in Fish and Game Code Section 8276.3, no vessel may take or land crab within Districts 6, 7, 8 & 9 during the closure period. In addition, Fish and Game Code Section 8279.1 prohibits any person who takes, possesses, or lands crab from ocean waters outside of Districts 6, 7, 8 & 9, or any other delayed opening areas in Oregon or Washington, for 30 days following the opening of those areas. The Fish and Game Commission shall revoke the crab vessel permit held by any person who violates this provision.

Pursuant to Fish and Game Code 67, "person" means any natural person or any partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, or other type of association.