Oregon’s crab season draws commercial fishermen and recreational enthusiasts to the state’s coastal waters each year. Dungeness crab, a highly prized species, is the focus of this seasonal activity, which is a significant cultural and economic event.
Commercial Dungeness Crab Season
Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab season typically begins December 1st and can extend through August 14th. This timeframe allows for the harvest of Dungeness crab when their shells have hardened and they have filled with firm meat, ensuring a high-quality product for consumers. The season’s start, however, frequently experiences variability, with delays often occurring until mid-December or even later in January.
The Dungeness crab fishery is Oregon’s most valuable single-species commercial fishery. Approximately 16 million pounds of crab are harvested per season, generating significant revenue; the 2023-2024 season alone saw an ex-vessel value of $93.6 million. Commercial regulations stipulate that only male crabs with a minimum carapace width of 6 1/4 inches can be harvested, ensuring reproductive sustainability. The fishery operates under a limited entry permit system, including specific pot limits to manage fishing effort.
Recreational Crabbing Opportunities
Recreational crabbing in Oregon allows individuals to catch Dungeness and Red Rock crabs. Crabbing in bays, estuaries, and from piers and jetties is generally open year-round for both species. However, Dungeness crab crabbing in the ocean is closed from October 16th through November 30th.
Individuals aged 12 and older are required to possess an Oregon fishing license for crabbing. Recreational crabbers can use crab rings, pots, or baited lines, with a limit of three pieces of gear per person. Buoys used for crab pots or rings must be visibly marked with the owner’s first and last name or business name, along with an address, phone number, ODFW ID, or vessel ID number.
Catch limits and regulations manage recreational harvest. For Dungeness crab, individuals may keep up to 12 male crabs per day, provided each crab measures a minimum of 5 3/4 inches across the carapace. Red Rock crabs have a daily limit of 24, with no size or sex restrictions. It is unlawful to mutilate crabs before landing them, which would obscure their sex, size, or species.
Factors Influencing Season Openings
Several factors can delay the opening of Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab season. One primary consideration is the “meat fill” of the crabs. Crabs must reach a minimum meat content, generally 25% (or 23% north of Cascade Head), to ensure product quality. Pre-season testing assesses this; insufficient meat fill delays the season.
Another significant factor is the monitoring of biotoxin levels, particularly domoic acid. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) regularly test crab samples for these marine toxins, which can be harmful if consumed. If domoic acid levels exceed safety thresholds—typically 30 ppm in viscera or 20 ppm in meat—harvesting areas may be closed or the season delayed. These toxins are produced by certain phytoplankton and can be linked to warmer ocean conditions.
Weather conditions also play a role, particularly at the beginning of the commercial season. Rough seas and high winds can prevent fishing fleets from safely deploying their gear, leading to delays even if meat fill and biotoxin levels are acceptable.