New crab pots, rope and buoys at the Port of Newport are all ready to begin the season Dec. 13 when the Dungeness crab fleet can first dump their gear. (Quinton Smith/Lincoln Chronicle)The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife announced Friday that the state’s commercial Dungeness crab season will open Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon near Manzanita south to the California border.
Dungeness crab along the entire Oregon coast met both meat and safe biotoxin level requirements in initial testing this year, but after consulting with the crab industry, Oregon Department of Agriculture and California and Washington fishery managers, ODFW delayed opening the north coast to the Columbia River until crab in Long Beach, Wash., reach meat requirements.
The earliest that area could open pending meat fill testing is now Dec. 31.
he commercial bay crab fishery also opens Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border in conjunction with the ocean fishery. The commercial bay crab fishery closes at 11:59 p.m. Dec. 31.
“Oregon’s crab fishery is an economic driver for coastal communities,” said Justin Ainsworth, ODFW’s Marine Resources Program Manager. “I appreciate crab fishermen being patient as we tried to align our opening with Washington, but the best option now is to open up what we can.”
The season is opening under a fleet advisory that fishing vessels should be vigilant and move or avoid setting gear in areas where whales are foraging or moving south to minimize risk of entanglement.
The commercial fleet can begin the presoak period – setting baited crab pots in the water – on Dec. 13 from Cape Falcon to the California border. The presoak time gives permit holders a chance to set gear so they can begin harvesting by Dec. 16.
The Dungeness crab fishery is Oregon’s most valuable. Last season – which also started Dec. 16 on the central and south coasts — was the most lucrative in history at $97.1 million paid to crabbers despite a significant drop in the overall catch. The record-breaking payout for 2024-25 is attributed to higher prices paid from the start of the season, which climbed well above $7 before leveling out to a season average of $6.19 a pound. The 2023-24 season average was $3.79 per pound.
Approximately 15.7 million pounds were landed at Oregon ports during the 2024-2025 season with Newport’s fleet leading the way with 5.4 million pounds.
— Garret Jaros/Lincoln Chronicle
