SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California wildlife regulators have postponed the start of the commercial Dungeness crab season to protect whales and sea turtles from becoming entangled in fishing gear. The Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Wednesday that it's pushing back the Nov. 15 start of the season to Dec. 1.

The postponement affects fishing zones from Mendocino County north of San Francisco to the Mexican border.

The San Francisco Chronicle says 50 humpback whales were spotted in one week last month off the coast of San Francisco and another 25 in the Monterey Bay area. The recreational fishing season will be allowed to open on Saturday.