Crab Condition Studies During the 1960-61 Season in Oregon

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Snow, Dale

Publish Date: November 2, 1961

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Cedric Cooney

Job Position: Natural Resources Data and Systems Manager

Telephone: 503-947-6094

E-Mail Address: cedric.x.cooney@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: The condition of Dungeness crabs at the inception of each season fluctuates considerably between years. In some years only a small portion of the marketable crabs have soft shells (and little meat) and in other years substantial portions. The poor quality of crabs during the early portion of the 1959-60 season caused considerable concern within the industry and this resulted in a recommendation to the PMFC in November 1960 to delay the opening date along the coast. A concurrent recommendation called for uniform opening dates for all areas. The northern California, northern Oregon (Area I, north of Cascade Head), and Washington areas opened December 15 and southern Oregon (Area II, south of Cascade Head) opened November 15. The variable opening dates in Oregon were based upon condition studies undertaken in 1948 and 1949. The OFC acted in December 1960 to change the opening date for Area I from December 15 to January 1, and for Area II, from November 15 to December 1. These new dates would become effective in the 1961-62 season if the Washington seasons were altered to coincide with that in Oregon's Area I. Subsequently WDF did alter their season accordingly. The OFC action created some controversy among some segments of the Oregon industry who alleged that the crab condition did not vary sufficiently between areas to warrant different opening dates for Areas I and II. In accordance with a PMFC staff request, a 2-year investigation was undertaken to determine the condition of crabs landed in the principal Oregon ports. This report deals with the information collected during the 1960-61 season.

Purpose:

Time Period of Content: 1960-1961

Geographic Extent: Oregon Coast

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source: Shellfish Investigations, Oregon Fish Commission, Research Division, November 2, 1961.

Data Information

No data information was supplied.

Entity and Attribute Information

Attributes Description: Field attribute information is available in the attached file(s).

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Unknown