More Dungeness Crab were landed by commercial fisherman this past season than any of the six previous seasons; however, the value wasn’t as high as compared to the previous season. Figures released by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife show crabbers landed 31,578,905 lbs. of Dungeness Crab between January and August of this year. That topped last year’s catch of 17,158,254 lbs. However, the season average price was $2.69 lb., as compared to $5.33 lb. processors paid last year. That difference resulted in an Ex-Vess value of $85.0 million this past season, slightly below the $91.5 million last year. Newport led in landings with 11,212,005 lbs. Charleston’s fleet brought in 6,152,107 lbs., Brookings 3,788,570 lbs., Florence/Winchester Bay 1,457,046 lbs., and Port Orford/Bandon 1,322,115 lbs. According to the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission website: ” In the most recent 10-year period, the to-the-boat value ranged from $33 million to $74 million dollars. The Dungeness crab fishery usually is the most valuable single-species fishery in Oregon.” Number of vessels: “Oregon imposed a limited entry system on the crab fishery in 1996, with approximately 450 permits issued based on prior participation. There are in excess of 350 vessels presently engaged in the crab fishery. They range from the small wooden troller with its two-man crew to large steel combination vessels with a four-man crew capable of fishing around the clock for extended periods of time.”
