The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced the commercial Dungeness crab season opening on January 15, 2025, from Klipsan Beach on the Long Beach Peninsula to Cape Falcon, Oregon.
This includes key areas such as the Columbia River and Willapa Bay. The opening date for the remainder of Washington’s Pacific Coast is still pending as the department works with tribal co-managers to finalize plans.
Oregon is also set to open the state's northern half to commercial Dungeness crab harvesting on January 15 after a new round of testing showed crabs were meeting optimal commercial harvest criteria. Meanwhile, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced that the commercial Dungeness crab fishery from the Sonoma/Mendocino County line to the U.S./Mexico border would open on January 5, 2025.
The timing of the season’s start is carefully based on test fishing results, which ensure crabs meet a minimum meat recovery rate of 23 percent. This benchmark indicates the crabs are in a marketable condition, having completed their molting cycle and developed harder shells that yield higher-quality meat. According to WDFW Coastal Shellfish Manager Matthew George, recent delays in season openings are tied to later molting cycles. “The crab we sampled in Westport reached the 23 percent meat recovery in mid-December, while the Long Beach crab did not meet that threshold until early January,” George noted.
The WDFW is actively investigating the link between changing molting cycles and broader climate trends. As part of its commitment to climate resiliency, the department has updated its Coastal Dungeness Crab Policy, focusing on sustainability and reducing marine life entanglement risks. These efforts include developing a conservation plan and pursuing an Incidental Take Permit under the federal Endangered Species Act to protect species such as humpback and blue whales and leatherback sea turtles.
The WDFW is in ongoing discussions with tribal co-managers to determine the opening date for areas from Klipsan Beach north to the U.S.-Canada border. This collaboration aims to achieve resource-sharing goals, often resulting in earlier season openings for tribal fleets and special management areas exclusive to tribal fishers. For instance, the Quinault Indian Nation commenced its Dungeness crab season on December 29, following a schedule that typically precedes the state’s by 45-49 days, contingent on crab abundance.
Dungeness crab is Washington’s most valuable commercial fishery. The 2023-24 season saw state landings valued at $66.8 million, underscoring the fishery's economic importance. This figure, though substantial, follows a record-setting $88.2 million during the 2021-22 season.
As the season approaches, WDFW reminds state fishers to comply with all current regulations, including those related to line marking, buoy registration, and electronic monitoring. Fishers are also advised to avoid setting gear in towboat lanes to ensure safety and compliance.
The department continues to monitor the fishery closely, working towards a balance between economic viability and ecological responsibility. For more information, visit WDFW.
