This webpage was updated on March 17, 2026

Dungeness Crab Task Force Members


DCTF Members

DCTF Commercial Fishing Elections

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) carry out DCTF commercial fishing elections as described in Fish and Game Code Section 8276.4. Commercial fishermen are elected to the DCTF by their peers to represent their home port complexes and production level. DCTF elections shall be held every three years in each port, on a staggered basis across ports. 

The results of the DCTF Commercial Fishing Elections are available in the current DCTF Member List. Future election processes are anticipated to follow a similar process as described below. 

DCTF Election Process and Timelines

DCTF elections shall be held every three years in each port, on a staggered basis across ports. For 2026, the ports of Eureka, Bodega Bay and Half Moon Bay will be up for re-election as well as the California non-resident permit holder seat. Elections will be carried out with two separate mailings:

  • Mailing #1: Nomination Form – All valid California Dungeness crab permit holders will receive a form to nominate individuals, including themselves, for the DCTF.
  • Mailing #2: Ballot – Ballots will be compiled from the list of nominees for the ports up for re-election in 2026 and all registered permitholders from these representative seats will receive a ballot. Votes tallied from these ballots will determine the members who serve on the DCTF.

2026 DCTF Election Documents 

Nomination Forms are due Friday, April 24, 2026.

Group 1 Ports: Elections in 2028
If your vessel’s registered home port is in any of the following port complexes, you are eligible to vote in the Group 1 DCTF elections in 2019, 2022, 2025, and 2028:

  • Crescent City (includes all California ports north of Trinidad)
  • Trinidad
  • Fort Bragg (includes all ports in Mendocino County)
  • San Francisco (includes ports from within San Francisco Bay)
  • South of Half Moon Bay (includes all ports from Monterey Bay south)

Group 2 Ports: Elections in 2026
If your vessel’s registered home port is in any of the following port complexes, you are eligible to vote in the Group 2 DCTF elections in 2020, 2023, and 2026:

  • Eureka (includes Shelter Cove and all ports within Humboldt Bay)
  • Bodega Bay (includes Bolinas and all ports within Tomales Bay)
  • Half Moon Bay

Non-resident California Dungeness crab permitholder (includes all out-of-state vessel port registrations designated as Unknown)

DCTF Non-Commercial Fishing Seat Appointments 

Section 8276.4 of the Fish and Game Code states that seven members are appointed to the DCTF by the Chair of the Ocean Protection Council following a public solicitation for nominations. These seven members represent sport fishing, crab processing, commercial passenger fishing vessel, nongovernmental organization interests, and are as follows: 

  • One voting (1) and one nonvoting (1) member representing sport fishing interests. 
  • Two voting (2) members representing crab processing interests. 
  • One voting (1) member representing commercial passenger fishing vessel interests. 
  • Two nonvoting (2) members representing nongovernmental organization interests. 

Those appointed to represent non-commercial fishing seats are included in the current DCTF Member List. 

DCTF Contact 

To stay informed about upcoming elections, meetings, and other DCTF related activities, sign up for the DCTF email list. Please direct all questions and comments to info@dungenesscrabtaskforce.com. 

 

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