Harvesting Crab

Harvesting crab is a popular activity along the coast of British Columbia for residents and tourists alike. Whether you are new or a long-time harvester of these shellfish, the following information may prove useful.

In B.C., the most commonly caught species of crab are Dungeness and Red Rock. Dungeness crab are the larger of the two species, reaching a maximum size of 23 centimetres in width. They are olive to purplish-brown and, compared to Red Rock, have slender claws. In contrast, Red Rock crab, as the name implies, are bright red, have thick black-tipped claws and reach a maximum size of 16 centimetres.
 

Official Crabbing Regulations and Rules for British Columbia

The Dungeness crab { Cancer magister } is named after a small town on Washington's Olympic Peninsula.
Dungeness, Washington, is located approximately five miles north of Sequim and 15 miles east of Port Angeles.

The Dungeness crab can be harvested from Alaska's Aleutian Islands to Point Conception, California.