While California’s Dungeness crab fleet waits for delayed waters to open, Washington and Oregon fishermen have geared up for their 2024-2025 seasons under familiar pressures of conservation and commerce. With winter crabbing generally in full swing, balancing marine sustainability with vital economic returns is the focus.

In Washington, the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) emphasizes its regulatory approach to protecting marine mammals, citing updates from previous seasons as a foundation for the current year. Measures to reduce entanglement risk remain crucial, with state and tribal co-managers collaborating to meet conservation goals while supporting fishermen. WDFW published a Dungeness Crab Newsletter to go over a report of the 2023- 2024 season and new regulations for this year. Other sources have shared that the Washington Dungeness season will be delayed until the end of 2024.

In Oregon, the anticipation is palpable in Newport, where boats are stacked high with gear. “For some, it’s half of the income for the whole year; for others, it’s about a third. It’s huge for the fleet and Newport,” said Kyle Retherford to KREM 2 News, a 15-year crabbing veteran preparing his boat Excalibur for the season. Reflecting on last year’s success, Retherford recalled landing over 100,000 pounds of crab in just four days, highlighting the stakes of this critical season.

Crystal Adams, executive director of the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, remains cautiously optimistic. “The winter is always tough, but that’s when the crab is the best, and they’ll get out anytime they can,” she noted, emphasizing the resilience of Oregon’s fleet.

West Coast states highlight the tension between ensuring long-term marine sustainability and maintaining the economic health of coastal communities. As Washington continues to refine its management plans, Calif. cancels the season due to precautions, and Oregon’s fleet braces for unpredictable winter seas. The West Coast crab fishery underscores the importance of adaptive strategies to protect fishing traditions while safeguarding marine life.

The industry has shown resilience by coming together after a dock fire at the Ilwaco Landing in Washington at the start of last season. Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez stated, “If the government worked half as well as this community does, coming together, we’d be in a much different world.”