DUNGENESS CRAB (Cancer Magister)

Other Names:
Market Crab, Common Crab.

Availability:
December-March and May-September.

Depth of Catch:
Shallow to 200 fathoms.

Characteristics:
The Dungeness Crab takes it's name from a small fishing town on the Washington Coast. "Dungies" are in the Rock Crab family. Their shell is a light greenish-brown on back and turns red when cooked. The underside is a whitish to light orange.

Only males are harvested. They must measure 6 1/4 inches across the back.

They usually weigh between 11/2-3 and reach maturity at about two years. Harvest levels were declining the early 1980's but have rebounded since 1988.

Range of Shelf Life
Live crab can be held up to 12 days. 3 to 7 days on fresh, depending on the quality of handling the crab has received.

How To Store:
Fresh whole crab should be buried in ice.

Catch Area:
British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, California

Season:
All year round depending on the area

Packaging:
25lb-40lb Styro box