Crab Fishery Day

Join us for a fact packed Crab Fishery Day!

While most people just know how tasty they are, did you know these fun facts about Dungeness crabs?

Dungeness crabs have a lifespan of approximately 10 years.
Dungeness crabs grow by molting, or growing a new shell, or exoskeleton, and shedding the old one. Juvenile crabs molt as many as six times each year.
A female crab can carry up to 2.5 million eggs.
The state crustacean of Oregon is the Dungeness Crab.
Commercial Dungeness crab fishery allows harvest of male crabs that measure at least 6 ¼” across (when they are approximately 4 years old). In the recreational fishery, male crabs must be at least 5 ¾” across the back of the shell.
In 2019, Oregon commercial crab fishery harvested just over 19 million pounds of Dungeness crab, worth over $67 million dollars.
For many years, Dungeness crab has been Oregon’s most valuable fishery.

What’s happening this Crab Fishery Day?

Join us on December 27th for chats & activities! Check back closer to the event for more details and information about what’s in store!

Boy or Girl

At first glance, male and female dungeness crabs look identical, but when you turn them over and look at the bottom of their shells, there is a clue that identifies the crab as a male or a female.

The abdominal flap on male crabs is narrow. Female crabs have a wider, oval shaped abdominal flap.