Learn about the Dungeness crab

On Tuesday, Jan. 11, Rich Childers, from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, will give a presentation on Dungeness Crab research and management. This is the fourth lecture in Orcas Island’s highly successful marine science lecture series. It will begin at 7 p.m. at the Camp Orkila Marine-Salmon Center, and is free to the public.

People living along North America's West Coast are familiar with the Dungeness crab as a highly prized sport and commercial shellfish. This crab has the scientific title of Cancer magister. Freely translated, the first word is the Latin name for "crab," and the second means "chief" or "principal". The common name "Dungeness" is derived from the town of Dungeness, Wash., now called Old Town Dungeness, where the first commercial harvesting of the crab was done. Dungeness crab have been harvested commercially along the Pacific coast since the late 1800s. They range from central California to the Gulf of Alaska, and have long been part of the Northwest's seafood heritage.

Shuttle service from the parking lot at Camp Orkila to the Marine-Salmon Center is available before and after each lecture.

The 2004-2005 Marine Science Lecture Series is presented by program partners the SeaDoc Society, YMCA Camp Orkila, and the San Juan Nature Institute. The series is sponsored by Islanders Bank, Barbara Brown, Alan and Lisbeth Fritzberg, Bob Lundeen, and Dean and Audrey Stupke, and is co-sponsored by Washington Federal Savings and Jim and Kathy Youngren.

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