The countdown is finally on… Dungeness crab season will finally open on the Sonoma County coast next Thursday, January 18th. However, boats will have to operate with only half of their traps under limits set to protect marine wildlife. Due to migrating whales and leather-back turtles, the season has been delayed nearly 2-months. Crabbers can start dropping their pots Monday at 8am and begin retrieving them at 12:01 Thursday morning, meaning fresh crab can be on your menu Thursday night.