Seasonal selection: Dungeness Crab

Dungeness crab facts

• Dungeness crab reportedly gets its name from a small fishing village called Dungeness on the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Washington State.

• By the time a male Dungeness crab has reached “legal” size (6 ¼” across the back), it has shed its shell or “molted” at least 14 times.

• A female Dungeness produces up to 2.5 million eggs.

• On average, 25 percent of a Dungeness crab’s weight is edible “meat”, making it one of the meatiest crabs available.

• The average Dungeness weighs nearly two pounds, although some can weigh more than three and a half pounds.

• Live Dungeness crabs are purplish-brown in color. Cooking brings out the bright orange color they are famous for.

• The estimated life span of the Dungeness crab is between 8 and 13 years.

• Dungeness crabs have been harvested commercially along the Pacific coast since the late 1800’s and have long been part of the Northwest’s seafood heritage. 

• During harvest, only male Dungeness crabs are collected, the females are protected.

• Peak season for fresh market forms is late December through February, although fresh Dungeness crab is available through August.

Availability and sourcing

• Dungeness crabs are found only on the West Coast and are sourced from central California to the Gulf of Alaska.
• Dungeness crabs have been harvested commercially along the Pacific coast since the late 1800’s and have long been part of the Northwest’s seafood heritage. 
• During harvest, only male Dungeness crabs are collected, the females are thrown back live.
• Peak season for fresh market forms is late December through February, although fresh Dungeness crab is available through August.
• Estimated sourcing of Dungeness crab in 2005:
  • Oregon – 36.7%
  • Washington – 27.8%
  • California – 23.3%
  • Alaska – 4.5%
  • British Columbia – 7.8%

Crab Profiles

January is the beginning of peak season for Dungeness crab harvested on the Pacific coast. Other varieties of crab can be found in different geographic regions and at various times throughout the year.

• The estimated life span of the Dungeness crab is between 8 and 13 years.

• During harvest, only male Dungeness crabs are collected, the females are protected.

• Peak season for fresh market forms is late December through February, although fresh Dungeness crab is available through August.