Crustaceans
Crustaceans
What is a crustacean?
They are animals like crabs, lobsters, shrimp and barnacles that usually live in water. They have hard outer shells, jointed legs and no backbone.
Dungeness crab, Metacarcinus magister
These crabs live all along the Oregon coast. Females grow up to 7 inches wide and males are as large as 10 inches. They are the largest edible crab in Oregon. Crabs are enclosed in a hard shell (an exoskeleton). To grow, they must shed their shell (called molting). Their natural lifespan is typically 8‒10 years. They thrive in sandy or muddy estuaries and waters up to 1,500 feet, but water less than 300 feet is more typically their home. The Dungeness crab commercial fishery is important to Oregon coast communities and economies. With the right license, you can harvest proper-sized male crabs.
Learn more about the dungeness crab!
Species spotlight (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Life history of the Dungeness crab (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
About the Dungeness crab fishery (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
(Watch) Oregon’s most lucrative fishery (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
Crabbing and clamming (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Crabbing for beginners (Travel Oregon)
How to buy Dungeness crab (Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission)
Whale strandings prompt Dungeness crabbing rule changes (KLCC)