How to handle & prepare your Dungeness Crabs

We are learning the where and hows of catching Dungeness crabs a resident crustacean of the Pacific Northwest and found abundantly in B.C. Coastal waters. As we become familiar with fishing and catching crabs we are also learning about the handling and preparing of crabs to eat. Here are a few hints to preserve your fresh Dungeness crabs that you have worked hard to catch.

Healthy catch - best fishing months are May to October in this region

Live Dungeness Crabs in the boat

When bringing up the crab trap – sex and measure crabs as soon as possible
Legal crabs can be kept in a bucket with fresh salt water for the short-term – cover with a board to reduce heat and escaping
Or place covered container with crabs in shade (under a seat, etc)
Return to shore as soon as possible to process your crab catch

Crab Cooking Cautions

If a crab has died (not moving) it should be discarded. The reason for this is that when a crab dies “toxins” go through its body and should not be eaten
The same applies to freezing a crab without cooking it first. Research indicates this is not an acceptable option – crabs should always be cooked, whole or in part, before being refrigerated or frozen

How to Process Dungeness Crabs

Keep the crabs cool while you prepare the pot (boil in salt or fresh water)
Bring enough water to boil in a large (and high) pot if you are cooking the crabs “alive” with enough water to cover crabs - cook in batches if necessary
Once the water boils, add 2 or 3 crabs at a time – do not crowd
When the water returns to the boil cook for a minimum of ten minutes and up to 15 minutes
Crabs float when they are cooked

Once cooked your options are :

Keep in the refrigerator and consume within two days
Package and label when cool and freeze for up to three months
Let cool and use in your favourite recipe – our choice for best option !

Basically, its important to handle live crabs quickly and efficiently to minimize stress and damage. It would be a shame to spoil the meat after spending the time, effort and energy catching the crabs. It's a privilege to live in such a great province and to enjoy this fun and rewarding activity on the ocean.

Notes

Crab are a delicacy for many and we have heard great "fish" stories about octopus in and on crab nets - even small ones are strong and their suction cups can sting
We often catch starfish in the net and release
Did you know that as a defence mechanism a crab will “drop” a leg to get away
When fishing for crab (or any fish) wear appropriate footwear in your boat as you never know when a smart crab will find an escape route from the net
Commercial value of crab fishing in 2008 was $43.3 million
Recreational crab catch is not reportable but 318,000 DFO licenses (including crab) were issued in 2008
Respect your catch - treat crabs and other species caught in your crab net in a humane way including returning to the ocean