Oregon Delays Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Until At Least Dec. 16 – KXL

Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab season is being pushed back until at least December 16, state wildlife officials announced Thursday. The delay isn’t due to problems in Oregon waters—crab here met both meat quality and biotoxin standards—but because crab from Long Beach, Washington failed to meet the required 23% meat fill.

The three West Coast states coordinate their commercial crab season openings, and most members of Oregon’s Dungeness Crab Advisory Committee supported waiting to maintain consistent fishing patterns and help stabilize the market.

Washington will conduct another round of testing in the coming days. If Long Beach crab meets the meat fill requirement, the coastwide season will open December 16. If not, Oregon may consider a partial opening south of Cape Falcon, pending input from the fleet and the Tri-State committee.

Whenever the season opens, Oregon boats will operate under a whale-protection advisory, urging crabbers to avoid areas where whales are feeding or migrating to reduce the risk of entanglements.

The commercial season was originally targeted for December 1, but delays are common to ensure high-quality product and to align openings across Oregon, Washington, and California. Weekly updates will continue until a final decision is made.

The commercial bay crab fishery will close December 1 and will reopen only if the ocean commercial season does. Meanwhile, the recreational ocean Dungeness crab season is still expected to reopen December 1, and recreational crabbing from beaches, bays, and docks remains open statewide. Officials urge crabbers to check the Shellfish Hotline or the state’s biotoxin webpage for the latest conditions.