Dungeness Crab Season Opening Delayed Coastwide

A decision has been made by the Directors of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Department of Fish and Game to delay the opening of the 201213 Coastal Dungeness crab fishery coastwide (from Point Arena north) until at least December 15, 2012.

This decision is based on crab condition tests conducted by agency staff in all three states. The results from the second round of testing in Washington, Oregon and California show several areas do not meet the minimum meat recovery criteria.

The TriState Dungeness crab Pre Season testing protocols specify that after the second round of testing, if any area does not meet the minimum meat recovery criteria (23% north of Cascade Head and 25% south of Cascade Head) a third test is required. If a third test cannot be completed by November 26th then there will be a season opening delay until at least December 15th. Note that a mandatory minimum of 10 days must elapse between the second and third tests.

All three states agreed that it would be difficult, if not impossible to complete a third round of testing prior to November 26th, especially with the Thanksgiving Holiday occurring in the midst of the period. Additionally given the low meat recovery rates seen so far, all three states felt that allowing for additional time for crab to fill out prior to the third test is appropriate.

As a result, all three agency Directors are in agreement that a third test will be conducted in early December and a recommendation for a season opening date or further delay and additional testing will be provided by December 10.

WDFW is grateful to the fishers and processors who provided the key cooperation needed to allow the Washington testing to be conducted successfully.

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife