Spider Crab/ Sheep Crab regulations?

#1
Does anyone knows what is the regulation for this crab? A friend of mine caught one off Monterey Wharf and he just toss it back, since he did not know the regulation on it. I did not see it mention the rules and regulation either.
 
#2
I think the only rules are the general invertebrate rules in 29.05 and the rules of 29.80 regarding gear and method of take. As I understand it that means you can use any ordinary "crab" method of take (hands and legal crab traps), there is no season, and the limit is 35. By 29.05(a), the door is specifically open for all invertebrates unless otherwise closed by other language in the regs.

29.05. GENERAL.
(a) Except as provided in this article there are no closed seasons, closed hours or minimum size
limits for any invertebrate.
 

SC McCarty

Well-Known Member
#3
I think the only rules are the general invertebrate rules in 29.05 and the rules of 29.80 regarding gear and method of take. As I understand it that means you can use any ordinary "crab" method of take (hands and legal crab traps), there is no season, and the limit is 35. By 29.05(a), the door is specifically open for all invertebrates unless otherwise closed by other language in the regs.
I think it is a little more restricted than that:
29.05
(b) Take of all invertebrates is prohibited within state marine reserves. Take of certain invertebrates
may be prohibited within state marine parks and state marine conservation areas as per sub-section
632(b). In addition, tidal invertebrates may not be taken in any tidepool or other areas between the
high tide mark (defned as Mean Higher High Tide) and 1,000 feet seaward and lateral to the low tide
mark (defned as Mean Lower Low Water) except as follows
:
(1) Except where prohibited within state marine reserves, state marine parks, state marine
conservation areas, or other special closures only the following may be taken: red abalone, limpets,
moon snails, turban snails, chiones, clams, cockles, mussels, rock scallops, native oysters, octopuses,
squid, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, sand dollars, sea urchins and worms except that no worms may be taken
in any mussel bed, unless taken incidental to the harvesting of mussels
.

This does not change your answer about spider crabs, since crabs are in the list, but it does limit invertebrates that can be taken from or close to the shore.

Steve
 
#4
That is what I meant by "closed by other language in the regs", but you are right to call that section out. The list of invertebrates excludes lots of things. I specifically remember someone pointing out that you can't take barnacles because they aren't in that list. And I guess gumboot chitons are out too.

I don't think the quote you listed changes the interpretation with respect to spider crabs, unless I'm missing something: you can take them using ordinary "crab" methods of take, there is no size limit, no season, and the bag limit is 35.
 
#5
The barnacle falls under invertebrates and is prohibited in the intertidal zone. The gumboot chiton is a mollusk, like the limpet, and take is permitted according to 29.10(a)
 

TheFrood

Well-Known Member
#6
I never understood why barnacles were prohibited. I've wanted to harvest them ever since I saw a cooking video where they were
the featured ingredient.
 

Mahigeer

Senior Member
#7
Crab rig regulation for south of Point Conception and north of it are different.

No crab "trap"s or snag lines are allowed in the south.

Only hoop nets.

Limit is 35 crabs as I recall. 4" minimum width. No size limit on spider crabs.