NewsKRON4 — NewsNovember 6, 2026San Francisco County
California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers issue 11 citations for illegal Dungeness crab fishing at Thornton State Beach
Photo: KRON4 — News
California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers issued 11 citations and seized 95 Dungeness crabs after responding to reports of people unlawfully collecting crabs out of season, under size limits, and over the legal limit at a San Mateo County beach. The incident occurred Friday ahead of the recreational Dungeness crab fishing season opening for most of the state on Saturday.
Read the full story at KRON4 — NewsWhy It Matters
Wildlife officers recovered and returned 95 illegally harvested crabs to the ocean and penalized 11 individuals for fishing violations right before the official recreational season opened.
Key Facts
- Wildlife officers issued 11 citations for taking Dungeness crabs out of season, taking undersized crabs, and taking an overlimit of crabs.
- Officers seized 95 Dungeness crabs from the suspects and returned them to the ocean.
- A concerned citizen reported a large group of people wading in the surf and using lights to take crabs at Thornton State Beach.
- The reporting caller stated that a second large group of people arrived to begin taking crabs after the initial report.
- The recreational Dungeness crab fishing season opens for most of California on Saturday.
- Authorities encourage the public to report wildlife crimes to the CDFW tipline at 888-334-2258.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife“Wildlife agency that responded to the report, issued citations, and seized crabs”locationDaly City“City near the northern coast where the beach is situated.”locationThornton State Beach“Location on the Daly City coast where illegal crab harvesting took place.”locationSan Mateo County“County where the beach and incident are located.”