The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says Oregon's Dungeness crabs are ready to eat in time for holiday feasting and fishing can begin Dec. 16.
Now it is up to the fishermen to decide if they are willing to go get them. Hugh Link of the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission says price negotiations between fishermen and processors start Monday in Newport.
Crab landings were valued at $49 million last year, when the season was delayed until Dec. 30 because the crabs had not filled out sufficiently.
Troy Buell of Fish and Wildlife says his department doesn't have a good understanding of why Dungeness crabs are full enough for harvest in early December some years and not in others.