The highly anticipated commercial Dungeness crab season kicked off Sunday in Northern California, drawing long lines of enthusiastic seafood lovers to San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf.
After delays due to humpback whale migrations, crab boats finally hit the waters, bringing in their first catches to eager customers. Boat captains reported healthy, quality crabs averaging around two pounds each, though overall quantities were somewhat lower than previous years.
Captain Pat Lazarri's crew aboard the Edward Letter hauled in approximately 7,000-8,000 pounds of crab overnight as the season opened. The fresh catch was quickly transferred to holding tanks at Pier 45.
At the newly constructed dock specifically designed for direct sales, Captain Matt Juanes sold his catch straight to waiting customers, some of whom had lined up for hours. "We're beating the Super Bowl rush. We're getting a fresh catch," said Gemma Pabson, a San Pablo resident.
The season opening brings welcome relief to the local fishing community, which has faced significant challenges in recent years, including two consecutive cancelled salmon seasons. "It's been a really tough couple of years for crabbers," noted outgoing San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin, emphasizing the crustacean's importance to the local economy, from restaurants to processors.
While some fishermen like Joey Gallia noted slower catches and operational adjustments, the industry's resilience shines through. "We do it because we love it, we're good at it," Gallia remarked, reflecting the determination of Northern California's crabbing community.
The Dungeness crab season typically begins in November but was postponed this year to protect migrating humpback whales. Despite the delayed start, the arrival of fresh local crab has brought excitement to both fishermen and seafood enthusiasts throughout the Bay Area.