Dungeness Crab in Crescent City | Photo: Jessica Cejnar
Humboldt and Del Norte seafood lovers will finally only have access to local Dungeness crab next weekend, after negotiations between California crab fleets and processors were concluded on Friday.
Harrison Ibach, president of the Humboldt Fishermen’s Market Association, to the Outpost On Saturday, processors and fishermen set a price of $ 2.75 per pound for Dungeness crab. Fishermen initially demanded $ 3.25 per pound, but processors believe the market has been severely affected by the closure of restaurants due to COVID-19. Although the price is lower than he had hoped, Ibach said he is just happy that the process is over and that the season can finally start.
“We are looking forward to a safe and orderly start to the season,” Ibach said, adding that the fishermen’s associations have a “gentlemen’s agreement” to start scratching around the same time. It discourages fishermen from accumulating more than their fair share of crab, while also discouraging them from heading out in dangerous weather conditions to start early, he said.
Fishermen in the Bay will start putting pots on Monday, and our local fisherman should start midweek, Ibach said to make crabs available by the weekend or early next week.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife opened the commercial Dungeness crab season on Dec. 23, much later than it usually began. The season has been delayed in Central California to prevent whales from becoming entangled in the crab barrel, and has been delayed in the northern management zone – which includes the provinces of Humboldt and Del Norte – due to the low weight in the meat quality tests.
Based on the poor meat tests of November, Ibach said he does not expect a large number of crabs this year. Combined with the delay in the season and the low price, this could be bad news for the fishermen, many of whom rely on the income from crab season. But Ibach said he is trying to stay positive.
“I think everyone is looking forward to getting started and we hope that we might have a decent season,” he said.
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