High prices buoy low catch crab season

As of March 3, 8.33 million pounds of Dungeness crab were landed statewide this season, including 5.03 million pounds harvested between the Columbia River north to Westport, or 60%. "Overall, it's been low volume but a good price — it's been nice weather, too," commercial crabber Ross Kary said.

February accounted for the heaviest landings, including 3.61 million pounds on the south coast, Willapa Bay 928,000 pounds, and Pt. Chehalis north to Pt. Grenville 1.02 million pounds. The 2024-2025 Washington commercial crab season officially started Jan. 15, following delays due to low meat recovery percentages.

The current season’s catch is on pace to be the lowest since 2020-21, when roughly 10 million pounds were landed. Washington crabbers caught 17.56 million pounds 2023-24, preceded by a record 24.06 million pounds in (2022-23) and 15.22 million pounds in (2021-22).

Despite lower landings this year, total pay to fishermen stands at nearly $56.8 million — $7 million more than the $49 million five-year average.

Fishermen reported strong currents and steep competition among the opening-day hurdles, leading to lower-than-normal catch volumes. However, the initial $5.75 record price from processors was a huge relief, up from $3.50 last season. Low catch volume buoyed by favorable prices have defined this season, fishermen said, with the price increasing further after the season's start.

"The price dropped to $6 yesterday," Kary said. "It's slowing down finally; it was good until last week."

Kary planned to continue crabbing locally in Willapa Bay until the end of the month, before turning his attention to other fisheries, including the Dungeness crab season in Southeast Alaska.Other crabbers echoed Kary. "It's been slow, but the prices keep me going," said commercial fisherman Jerry Matzen III.