Fresh Oregon crab will be back on the menu soon — the commercial Dungeness crab fishery will open along all of the Oregon coast Tuesday, Dec. 31, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced.
Prior to the opener, commercial crab vessels will be allowed to set gear starting Saturday, Dec. 28, using the “pre-soak” time to drop gear in anticipation of the first pull of ocean crab pots on Dec. 31.
The ocean commercial Dungeness crab season in Oregon is targeted to open Dec. 1, the ODFW said in a news release, but can be delayed to ensure a high-quality product to consumers and to avoid waste of the resource.
Last winter’s commercial season did not open until Feb. 1.
Crab meat recovery testing in late November and early December showed that many areas along the West Coast still did not meet the criteria for opening. The delayed opening has allowed for crabs to fill with more meat and all areas have now exceeded meat recovery criteria.
Recreational crabbing is currently open coastwide in the ocean, bays and estuaries, and on beaches, docks, piers, and jetties. The ODFW said recreational crabbers should always check the agency’s shellfish hotline (800-448-2474) for closures before crabbing.
Commercial Dungeness crab is Oregon’s most valuable fishery. Last year’s delayed season opening still brought in the second highest value ever with the 18.7 million pounds caught commercially valued at $66.7 million, just above the 10-year average.
