V. A. 2. Dungeness Crab (Cancer magister) |
Dungeness crab, also known as the Pacific edible crab and market crab, are commonly found in Puget Sound, and range from the Pribilof Islands in Alaska to Santa Barbara in southern California (Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission 1987) (Figure V-3). They are found from the intertidal zone to depths of more than 250 feet, depending on age and time of year. Dungeness crab are found on a variety of substrates, however prefer sand or sand/mud bottoms. Juveniles are often found intertidally in estuarine areas of soft substrate containing eelgrass (Zostera spp.) and bivalve shells (Armstrong and Gunderson 1985). They are important as both a predator of Crangon spp. shrimp and bivalves and prey species in nearshore and estuarine habitats. Juvenile crab are prey to many species of fish, sea otters and octopus (Kimker 1985), whereas the adults are consumed by humans, harbor seals, sea lions, and gulls. Estuaries play an extremely important role in Dungeness crab abundance as nursery areas for subyearling and yearling crabs (Shreffler 1995).
Figure V-3. Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) (Source: www.dungeness.com/crab)
Dungeness crab are harvested for both commercial and recreational use, and are taken commercially by trap or ring net in deeper waters, and recreationally by trap, ring net, and dip net in shallow estuarine and bay waters. The recent (within the last 5 years) average annual harvest is estimated to vary between 80,000 and 100,000 per year, with harvests being equally split between tribal and non-tribal fishers in Puget Sound (Williams et al. 2001) (J. Odell and S. Burton, WDFW, personal communication, 2002). In general, Dungeness crab are most abundant in north Puget Sound (Strait of Georgia region) where three quarters of all commercial harvest occurs, and are least abundant in the south sound region near Budd Inlet. However, recreational harvesting is more evenly distributed throughout the entire Puget Sound region (Bumgartner 1990). Around Bainbridge Island, two relatively large areas are noted as “crab occurrence” areas (Appendix A –Shellfish Occurrence Map). One area is along the northern shoreline between Agate Passage and the Port Madison regions. The second area is off the eastern shore from Rolling Bay south to Wing Point.
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