Newport, Ore. – Oregon's commercial Dungeness crab season opens Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today. Crab will be available in time for the holiday season.

Oregon will open the north coast to align with Washington once Long Beach crab meet the 23 percent meat fill criteria. The earliest this area could open (pending meat fill) is Dec. 31.

The commercial bay crab fishery also opens Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border in conjunction with the ocean fishery. The bay crab fishery closes at 11:59 p.m., Dec. 31.

"Oregon's crab fishery is an economic driver for coastal communities," says Justin Ainsworth, ODFW's Marine Resources Program Manager. "I appreciate crab fishermen being patient as we tried to align our opening with Washington, but the best option now is to open up what we can."

The season is opening under a fleet advisory that fishing vessels should be vigilant and move or avoid setting gear in areas where whales are foraging or transiting to minimize risk of entanglement.

The commercial fleet can begin the presoak period – setting baited crab pots in the water – on Dec. 13 from Cape Falcon to the California border. The presoak time gives permit holders a chance to get their gear out in an equitable, organized, and safe manner, and all can begin harvesting crab Dec. 16 in this area.

See ODFW's weekly season opening updates web page for more details including industry notices. Additional updates will continue to be posted here until the decision is made to open the north coast.