Awaited over the early months of winter, crabbing season is now underway along much of the Oregon Coast, open as of mid-January in waters south of Cape Falcon. Starting Feb. 1, crab pots — dropped from boats and piers — will extend north into Washington.

Primary object of the catch is the Dungeness, a crab that takes its name from a stretch of Clallam County, Washington, along the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

But while the crab is plentiful near its namesake sandy stretch of Dungeness Spit, it’s also one of the Columbia-Pacific’s most sought-after delicacies. Millions of pounds are caught along the Pacific coast each year.

The Dungeness dwells primarily in seagrass beds, but is adaptable to habitats that range from shallow intertidal zones to depths of over 800 feet. Most are born in the winter, growing out of their shell annually until reaching full size.

The minimum size of Dungeness that may be harvested is 5 3/4 inches, with a limit of 12. A shellfish license is required for crabbing, available from the Oregon and Washington departments of fish and wildlife.