January Proclaimed Oregon Dungeness Crab Month

(Salem, Oregon) - The consumer delicacy known as Oregon Dungeness crab is worth the wait. Despite a late start to this season's harvest, the $50 million fishery is poised to make up for lost time with a promotional blitz that includes an official proclamation. Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski is proclaiming January as Oregon Dungeness Crab Month, noting that the state is currently the world's number one producer of Dungeness crab.

"Dungeness crab is one of the standard bearers for the seafood industry in Oregon and we welcome the opportunity to highlight this product for the enjoyment of all people in Oregon, around the country, and in many consumer markets around the world," says the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Gary Roth, administrator of the Agricultural Development and Marketing Division.

In issuing the proclamation and encouraging all citizens to join in the observance, Governor Kulongoski lists several notable facts about Oregon's Dungeness crab industry:

The State of Oregon is the world's top producer of Dungeness crab following a record-setting 33 million pounds in the most recent harvest season.

The Dungeness crab fishery contributed $150 million to the economy of coastal communities in Oregon this past season.

Dungeness crab is ranked fourteenth on Oregon's list of top agricultural and fisheries commodities.

The cyclical industry has been riding a big wave the past couple of years in both quantity and quality. This season's delayed opening was designed to continue the trend.

"Although it typically opens December 1st, preseason meat recovery testing indicated the crab needed more time to mature and fill out to meet state standards that ensure consumer satisfaction when the crab is marketed," says Nick Furman, administrator of the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission.

Even though the holiday season traditionally creates a major demand for Dungeness crab, Furman says it is definitely not too late for the industry to realize strong sales.

"There are plenty of opportunities in January, February, and beyond to enjoy Oregon Dungeness crab," says Furman. "The Super Bowl and Valentine's Day are just two opportunities. Oregon Dungeness tastes just as good from January on as it does in December."

This past Dungeness crab season? which ran from December 2004 through mid-August of 2005? was one for the record books. The fishery produced landings in excess of 33.7 million pounds, making it the largest haul in the history of the Dungeness crab fishery throughout its entire range, from central California to the Gulf of Alaska. The average season produces about 10 million pounds and the previous record was 18 million pounds set back in 1980. It will be hard to even come close to last year's mark, but the Dungeness crab fishery remains vitally important to Oregon's coastal economy.

"The fishing industry depends on a healthy crab fishery," says Furman. "Crab is a major focus for harvesters and processors, providing significant economic contributions to communities up and down the coast."

Oregon's Dungeness crab industry is also singled out by major environmental groups and the seafood industry in general as a well-managed, sustainable fishery. It is currently being assessed for certification by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)? an independent, non-profit organization that promotes responsible fishing practices. If successful, it will become the first crab fishery in North America to achieve the designation.

"Consumers are showing increased awareness and concern on where their seafood comes from and they want assurances that fisheries are being managed in a sustainable fashion," says Furman. "The certification will enhance market opportunities for Oregon Dungeness crab not only domestically, but internationally."

Meanwhile, crab lovers should be able to enjoy celebrations and promotions in the next several weeks that will highlight the catch from Oregon. McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurants? there are 59 of them in 24 states? are featuring Dungeness crab on the menu with such offerings as crab "tater tots", Dungeness crab and shrimp cakes, Dungeness crab Louis salads, and plain ol' whole Dungeness crab. Numerous markets hold annual crab festivals, including Salt Lake City, Utah, where Oregon Dungeness crab will be featured through the end of February at a number of seafood restaurants.

Recipes for Oregon Dungeness crab are available for home preparation as the fresh product becomes available at retail outlets. (A good online source for recipes is the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission Web site at: .)

Strong marketing and promotional efforts have successfully boosted the image of Oregon Dungeness crab, creating demand particularly domestically. No longer the Pacific Northwest`s `best kept secret", Dungeness is now found on menus and in seafood markets nationwide, wherever shellfish is enjoyed. The strong harvests of the past couple of years have undoubtedly helped in this expansion. The Oregon Department of Agriculture will continue to partner with the industry in efforts to promote the product in as many key markets as possible.

"During the course of the last 10 to 15 years, we have worked very closely with the fishermen, the processors, and the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission to successfully introduce this product to many markets, not the least of which are Japan and Korea," says Roth.

Closer to home, Oregonians will be first in line to enjoy a product that people throughout the country and around the world are clamoring for.