A new crab trap regulation will take effect next Thursday to protect whales off the coast of Northern California.

Pop-up gear, meant to prevent whale entanglements while crab fishing, front, sits on Pier 45 as James Sanders loads crab ...

Pop-up gear, meant to prevent whale entanglements while crab fishing, front, sits on Pier 45 as James Sanders loads crab traps onto the boat Pale Horse in San Francisco, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP ...

After years of a shortened crab fishing season aimed at preventing whale entanglements off the West Coast, California crabbers are experimenting with a new fishing method that allows them to stay ...

Pop-up gear, meant to prevent whale entanglements while crab fishing, front, sits on Pier 45 as James Sanders loads crab traps onto the boat Pale Horse in San Francisco, Thursday, April 10, 2025 ...

Whales Crab Nets Pop-up gear, meant to prevent whale entanglements while crab fishing, front, sits on Pier 45 as James Sanders loads crab traps onto the boat Pale Horse in San Francisco, Thursday ...

Hunter Nguyen, center right, and Jonathan Tin, load crab traps onto the boat Pale Horse at Pier 45 in San Francisco, Thursday, April 10, 2025. The boat's crew is trying out pop-up gear aimed at ...