Dungeness crab fishing season to close early, in April

California wildlife officials on Thursday said Dungeness crab commercial fishing will be closed along most of the state’s coast to protect humpback whales that are returning to forage from entanglement. “Aerial and vessel surveys conducted in mid-March show humpback whale numbers are increasing as they return to forage off the coast of California, elevating entanglement risk,” state wildlife officials said. Beginning April 8 at 6 p.m., the closure will take effect from the Sonoma-Mendocino County line to the U.S./Mexico border, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Officials...