NEWPORT – The remainder of Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery will open Jan. 15 from Manzanita into southwest Washington, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Tuesday.
The area, officially designated as Cape Falcon to Klipsan Beach, Wash., had been delayed in opening to allow for crab to reach meat criteria for harvest, according to ODFW.
The rest of the Oregon coastline opened Dec. 16 after being delayed from a possible opening Dec. 1 because crabs in four areas showed low meat yield and in two areas elevated levels of domoic acid along the south coast.
Newport-based fishermen and buyers have reported good-sized crab being caught since the Dec. 16 opener. Live crab buyers in Newport were paying fishermen $4.75 a pound to start this season.
Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab season can be delayed or partially opened so consumers get a high-quality product and so crabs are not wasted, according to ODFW. The season officially begins Dec. 1 and typically ends Aug. 14.
