Commercial Crabbing Cleared for December 16 Opening on Majority of Oregon Coast

Published 12/06/25 at 5:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) – Most of Oregon coast's crab fishing fleet can begin work for the season after it was delayed from its targeted opening of December 1. (Photo Seaside Aquarium's Tiffany Boothe)

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced Friday that Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab season will open December 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border. The timing ensures crab will be available for holiday markets.

Soon ports from Newport and Bandon, to Brookings will be buzzing with activity.

The north coast remains closed until Long Beach, Washington crab meet the 23 percent meat fill requirement. The earliest possible opening for that area is December 31.

The commercial bay crab fishery will also open December 16 in the same region, but will close at 11:59 p.m. on December 31.

“Oregon’s crab fishery is an economic driver for coastal communities,” said 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 on the Oregon coast begins under a fleet advisory urging vessels to avoid setting gear where whales are foraging or transiting, to reduce the risk of entanglement. This comes after a juvenile whale had washed ashore near Yachats last month, and crabbing gear may have had something to do with its death.

The presoak period, when baited pots can be set in the water, starts December 13. Harvesting begins December 16.

Crab boat lights seen by a NOAA satellite

Sport crab harvesting remains open along the entire Oregon coast from Washington to California. Those just itching to get out to sea and grab a pinchy morsel from the deep can do so from areas like Garibaldi, Astoria or Depoe Bay.

ODFW will continue posting weekly updates until a decision is made on opening the north coast. The season, originally targeted for December 1, was delayed to ensure crab quality and to coordinate openings with neighboring states. Oregon crab met meat and biotoxin standards in November, but Washington’s Long Beach area had not yet reached the required meat fill. Advisory committee members supported the delay, saying it minimizes disruption to traditional fishing patterns and may improve market conditions.

See Updates from Oregon Officials

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