Where Do Dungeness Crabs Come From?

The Dungeness crab is one of North America's most popular crustaceans. This large, sweet tasting crab is often found in seafood markets and other food outlets.

Dungeness crabs are caught along the Pacific Coast of North America. They generally prefer cooler waters and are uncommon south of Point Conception, California. Dungeness crabs are usually found on sandy or muddy bottoms at depths of 300 feet or less.

The Dungeness is an important catch for U.S. Pacific Coast commercial fishermen. 2011 Dungeness crab landings exceeded 67.4 million pounds worth more than $185 million.

In some areas, Dungeness crabs are caught recreationally with crab pots (or traps), loop traps, and hoop nets.

Oregon Dungeness Crab Fishery Earns Marine Stewardship Council Certification

The Oregon Dungeness crab fishery which operates off the USA west coast has earned Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. The MSC ecolabel was awarded following independent assessment to the MSC standard for sustainable, well-managed fisheries.

Dungeness crab is Oregon’s official 'state crustacean'. The crabs have been harvested commercially along the Pacific coast since the late 1800’s. Dungeness crabs range from central California to the Gulf of Alaska, and is Oregon’s most valuable single species fishery.

Oregon’s harvest for the 2009-2010 season was 23,195,059 pounds (10,521 metric tons) and the landed value was $44.8 million. Oregon is currently the top producer of Dungeness crab worldwide.

The Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission is the fishery client, with 425 limited entry license holders fishing primarily within 10 miles of the Oregon coast. Dungeness crab is sold live, or as fresh or frozen whole cooked crabs, as well as picked meat, legs and sections. The United States is the major market for Dungeness crab although products are also shipped to markets around the world.

"We are very happy to have successfully completed the certification process and join the other fisheries in Oregon and around the world that have earned this important sustainability designation," said Nick Furman, executive director of the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission. "We anticipate that the MSC label will create new marketplace opportunities and recognition for ‘Oregon Dungeness’ as awareness of and demand for certified seafood products grows."

source: MSC

2010 Oregon Dungeness Crab Season

Good news is in about the 2010 Fall Oregon Dungeness Crab season. "The first round of quality testing completed on 20 October has revealed that crabs are looking healthy and packed with meat", said Nick Furman, the Executive Director of the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission. Furman went on to state that "We think we'll have another good harvest this year."

source: FishLink Sublegals

Big December Harvests of Oregon Dungeness Crab

Early predictions of a mediocre Oregon Dungeness crab season were thoroughly defied in December, 2009.  The season started strong, with favorable weather and solid average weights, and so far it has not let up.  The historical average total Oregon annual catch over the course of the entire season (usually December-mid August) is 10.3 million pounds.  This year, in the first four weeks of the season Oregon crabbers landed 15.6 million pounds -- 2 million more pounds than were brought in during the entire 8.5 month season last year.

The good weather has afforded small boats a big advantage.  When the seas are stormy, only larger boats may safely venture out, but in calm weather the entire fleet can hit the water nearly every day.  Fortunately, this year there seems to be enough crab to go around.

source: Fishlink Sublegals