November 22, 2022 — Along Oregon’s coast, commercial crabbers will wait a few weeks longer than expected to make their first catch of the season.
It has to do with crab quality.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced Friday that commercial crabbers could expect a delay to the December 1 open of Dungeness crab season.
The projected opening date, December 16, could also be delayed if crab quality hasn’t improved.
ODFW says the crabs have not yet reached meat fill and meat quality standards.
Caren Braby Marine Resources Program Manager for ODFW also stressed product safety.
“We test for biotoxins that come just naturally from plankton that grow in the ocean, and if there’s any sign of those biotoxins, we delay the season for that as well.”
Domoic acid found in crab guts during this year’s testing is harmful to marine life, but close monitoring by ODFW prevents the toxin from impacting people with potentially fatal symptoms.