Commercial Dungeness crab season opens in most of California

Matt Zidek stacks crab pots on the deck of the New Rayann fishing boat at Pier 45 for the opening of the commercial crab season in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. Matt Zidek stacks crab pots on the deck of the New Rayann fishing boat at Pier 45 for the opening of the commercial crab season in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. Photo: Photos By Paul Chinn / The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Photos By Paul Chinn / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Commercial Dungeness crab season opens in most of California 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

Local commercial Dungeness crab season will open on time on Thursday, meaning Bay Area shoppers can expect to see grocery tanks and seafood displays full of the crustaceans by this weekend.

Fishermen and industry watchers expect a good crab year with a fairly consistent supply, though early indications are that prices will likely be higher than normal.

“I hear the crabs are nice, they’re full,” said Larry Collins of the San Francisco Community Fishing Association, referring to reports from recreational fishermen since their season opened Nov. 3.

But though Dungeness crab has been green-lit for most of California, the region north of Bodega Bay will remain closed to fishing because domoic acid — the same toxin that has caused turmoil in the industry since 2015 — has shown up in a few specific areas, leading to the fourth straight year with some delays.

“We’re not used to all these closures,” said Collins. “It’s global warming, and I think we’re going to have to learn to live with it.”

The continued disruptions prompted the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations to file a lawsuit on Wednesday. The suit, filed in California Superior Court on behalf of California and Oregon crab fishermen, alleges that 30 fossil fuel companies are responsible for warming oceans that are believed to be responsible for the delayed seasons and subsequent economic losses.

In California, Dungeness crab brought in more than $47 million in 2017 and $83 million in 2016; the amount was down to $17 million in 2015, when the industry had its first major problem with domoic acid. Noah Oppenheim, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, said the 2015-16 closure cost the industry $110 million in lost revenue.

Despite issues in the north of California this year, Dungeness crab tested from Bodega Bay to the Channel Islands have been totally clear of domoic acid since the California Department of Public Health began crab testing in September.

Local crab fishermen were allowed to drop their traps at 6:01 a.m. Wednesday and then begin pulling them up at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. Collins expected the crab to land on Pier 41 and other local harbors on Thursday afternoon and evening, meaning the crabs should be in stores by Friday and Saturday.

Scott Edson, who normally fishes out of Half Moon Bay, said he planned to start pulling up his traps just south of Bodega Bay around daybreak on Thursday. He was pleased by the price he and other fishermen will get this year: $3.50 a pound, which is 50 cents higher than it has been in recent years and could lead to steeper costs for consumers. He says there could be a lower-than-average supply because of normal fluctuations in the crab population.

“They say crab is on a six-year cycle. We’re kind of at the down end of the cycle,” Edson said. “I think the price is going to get pretty high for the holiday season.”

In addition, some fishermen and industry watchers think the commercial season on the season’s north coast, which normally opens from Point Arena (Mendocino County) to the Oregon border on Dec. 1, could be delayed at least a month because of problems with domoic acid and other quality issues in that area. Others are betting that area will have more crab and are waiting to fish up there.

Either way, Dungeness crabs will be in stores plenty time ahead of holiday feasts.

“We’re still dealing with this long-term problem,” said Oppenheim, referring to the ongoing climate change-related impacts, such as the domoic acid issue. “The bottom line is there will be safe crab on people’s dinner plates at Thanksgiving and Christmas and Chinese New Year, and we look forward to celebrating the season with seafood lovers.”

Tara Duggan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tduggan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @taraduggan