Dungeness crab season opens Dec. 15 along most of Oregon’s coast
By Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife
NEWPORT – Dungeness crab is back on the menu for holiday feasts as commercial crabbing opens Dec. 15 along most of the Oregon coast. Fishery managers made the decision today to open the ocean to crabbing along the Oregon coast from the Columbia River to just north of Gold Beach (42°26’00” N. Lat.). The ocean commercial Dungeness crab season in Oregon normally opens Dec. 1, but was delayed this year because crab did not meet minimum pre-season quality testing.
The testing measures the percentage of meat in the crab, by weight. Fishery managers can delay the season to allow the crab to fill with meat and ensure a high-quality product to consumers.
Recreational harvest of crab in the ocean off Oregon was also delayed. On Dec. 15 sport crabbers may pursue the tasty crustaceans on all but the southern part of the coast from just north of Gold Beach (42°26’00” N. Lat.) to the California border. Recreational boaters may catch crabs north of the line and then return to Gold Beach.
The recreational harvest of Dungeness crab in Oregon’s bays and estuaries is open year round.
The closed portion of the coast will open to sport and commercial harvest beginning Jan. 15.
Commercial crabbers are allowed to set their gear three days before the season opens, so ocean watchers will see the lights of crab boats off most of the coast as early as Monday (Dec. 12).
About the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: ODFW’s mission is to protect and enhance Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. The Department‘s policies are set by the Fish and Wildlife Commission. ODFW is headquartered in Salem and works through a regional management structure that allows for fish and wildlife management at the local level.
ODFW’s Marine Resources Program manages Oregon’s commercial and sport saltwater fisheries and has stewardship over our state’s marine environment. http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/
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