Unusually Large Number of Female Dungeness on Washington Coast Beaches, Officials a Little Worried

Published 12/09/24 at 9:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Coplais, Washington) – Here's a bit of a weird one: wildlife officials in Washington don't know what to make of a new find along the state's coastline. There's a whole lotta female Dungeness crabs showing up on the beaches – where they normally are not this time of year. And there's way more than usual. (Photo WDFW: female Dungeness laden with eggs)

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) said the find has them a little concerned with a big schedule of clam digs coming up, wanting to make sure clam diggers don't mistake the air bubbles in the surf for clams. Female Dungeness need to be left alone when crabbing, both here and on the Oregon coast, to ensure a healthy population.

When you see a certain kind of bubbles in the wet sand at the tideline it's known as a “show,” a term associated with razor clams. It generally means there's a clam down there and it's a sign to dig for the razor morsel.

However, some Washington coast beaches have had shows that were female Dungeness in a rather sensitive state.

Courtesy Washington Sea Grant

How to tell the difference between a male and female Dungeness? The underside of the female Dungeness crab has a wider, rounder middle area, while the male's is a long, thinner shape.

“WDFW has received reports of gravid (egg-bearing) female Dungeness crabs on beaches during razor clam digs last week and this week,” the agency said. “Although it’s common to encounter a few crabs during fall digs, recent numbers have been uncommonly high. We aren’t certain of the reason for the increase and are unable to plan for such a rare event.”

Normally, WDFW said, gravid female Dungeness go back to shallow coastal waters this time of year, where the water is colder and calmer - more ideal conditions for their eggs to develop. The crabs burrow into the seabed just offshore, which is where they stick around until the eggs are ready in spring or summer.

Why there's so many on the beach tidelines right now is an oddity.

“During low tides some crabs may become exposed, partially buried, or detectable by bubbles in the sand,” WDFW said.

What worries them a bit is that people will mistake them for the clams they're digging up. Here's how to tell the difference:

“Buried crabs’ air bubbles create a show much like that of a razor clam, so please be careful when digging,” the agency said. “Unlike razor clam shows, which only have one hole - a small dimple, doughnut, or keyhole indentation - crab shows often have two holes close together. Another difference is that razor clams release one quick spurt of water, with a 'show' developing immediately. Buried crabs produce a stream of water, and the 'show' doesn’t develop further because the crab isn’t moving. You may also see the crab’s hump in the sand.”

See what the baby Dungeness looks like: Tiny and See-Through on the Oregon Coast: Adorable but Eerie

They're asking the public to pay close attention to the differences. It's really important female Dungeness eggs don't get disturbed and accidentally get destroyed. WDFW said to dig slowly and carefully out on the Washington coast, especially with the schedule of digs allowed this week and later in December.

Slowly probe the sand, WDFW said.

Photo Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

“If you accidentally dig up a crab while digging for razor clams, please rebury it,” WDFW said. “Most buried crabs are within protected bays or along coastal beaches below the low water line; relatively few have been found in sections of beach overlapping with razor clam beds. Although we have unfortunately received reports of crabs being destroyed, we estimate the number to be a fraction of the overall population.”

There have not been any reports sent to Oregon Coast Beach Connection on this find on the north Oregon coast – though it's possible there's been some since the area can have a lot of similarities to the south Washington side in some categories.

Mating begins in early spring for Dungeness, according to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Males start looking for females that are likely molting soon, and when the lady Dungeness is ready she'll send signals to the male via special chemicals they can sense.

“When they meet, a male and female may touch each other with their antennae to let each other know they are not going to attack,” ODFW said.

Eggs inside the female are many, and males often carry the female around after she's molted to protect her. It's a weird kind of romantic.

In Washington, razor clam digs coming up in evening tides include Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks.

Dec. 12, Thursday, 4:00 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 13, Friday, 4:50 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 14, Saturday, 5:36 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 15, Sunday, 6:21 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 16, Monday, 7:05 p.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 17, Tuesday, 7:48 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 18, Wednesday, 8:31 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

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