'We'll probably go through 10,000 pounds of crab'
EUGENE, Ore. - Dungeness crab season is officially here.
And at Fisherman's Market in Eugene, owner Ryan Rogers says it's been a long time coming.
"The big concern was will we have crab for Christmas," said Rogers. "It's been a pretty poor December for us without having reasonable priced crab."
The season usually kicks off by the first week of December, but this year crabbers waited to make sure the crab was at its peak.
"The 15th is late and it was a lot of anxious time for us," he said. "By delaying the season, they definitely insured really good quality of crab this year."
And that means better prices for crabbers.
"The fishermen got quite a raise this year, they got a 55 cent raise over last year and almost a dollar over two years ago."
The crab are about a dollar more per pound this year and Rogers said it's mostly due to demand.
At $4.99 a pound, crab was already flying off the shelves Friday morning.
"The first thing I noticed is how plump and how big and how juicy they're gonna taste," said customer Michael Ludeman.
Ludeman drove all the way from Bend to get his hand on the tasty crustacean.
"We do crab salads quite a bit, so having a good looking crab is quite a treat," he said.
And just as quickly as it comes in, the crab goes out.
"In the next two weeks, we'll probably go through close to 10,000 pounds of crab," said Rogers.
