Named after Dungeness, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula, the Dungeness crab is one of the most important and iconic seafoods in the Pacific Northwest. It is the state crustacean of Oregon and responsible for a 169 million dollar industry among the three continental West coast states.
Fast Facts:
- Ranges from the Aleutian islands, Alaska to Baja Sur, Mexico
- Typically inhabit waters less than 300 feet in depth
- Thrive on sandy bottoms and eel grass beds
- Average size between 6 and 7 inches across
- Estimated life span of 8 to 13 years
- Mate from Spring through Fall following the females molting
Crabs are opportunistic feeders, eating just about whatever they can get their claws on and are strongly driven by their acute sense of smell. Crabs also can see in the UV spectrum, especially useful deep down where light is scarce. Knowing how they live and operate can go a long way into effectively catching them. This being said, they are not picky but do prefer certain foods over others.
Commercially fished, Dungeness crab are a very important sustainable resource in the Puget sound. Washington state has 2 commercial fisheries, tribal and state. In the state there are about 248 licenses available which can range into the million dollar range to be purchased from private fishermen but the profits can be huge.
The crab populations operate on a 10 year cycle and the harvest amounts can greatly range year to year.
As far as recent habitat changes, the crabs need a constant supply of oxygen, and in recent years certain areas of the Hood canal and South Puget sound have experienced hypoxia, or a lack of oxygen that can be deadly for the crabs. This can result in mass ‘die offs’, although sometimes molting crab shells can mistakenly be identified as dead crabs.
Dungeness crab is a worldwide delicacy. One of the best rated seafoods on the market, the crabs are only about ΒΌ their actual weight in edible meat. An Oregon state University study concluded the average 2.5 pound crab produced .55 pounds of meat. The local catch is exported all over the world, especially prized in some of the East Asian markets.
As prized as it is expensive, commercial crab prices for the fisherman can vary around $4.40 per pound caught, and retails for up to $19.99 per pound in store in shell! I have seen 6 ounces of shelled meat go for $18.99!
Many reasons to go out and hit the water this season, SAVE money on buying crab (Although all said and done, the amount of time and effort put in about evens out). However, catching your own crab is a glorious pastime, something I have been doing for 15 years and plan to do for the rest of my life.
Did you learn anything? I know I did! Add your own facts in the comments and keep the knowledge going! – Spencer