After weeks of a stalemate between crab fishermen and seafood processors, the two sides have finally come to an agreement over crab prices meaning the official commercial crab season is finally underway in the Bay Area.

The parties agreed to a price of $2.25 a pound, bringing to an end a two week delay to the start of the 2011 Dungeness crab season.

The fishermen had complained about the high cost of fuel, bait and equipment; seafood buyers argued that the poor economy meant fewer consumers would pay the higher prices.

After a record catch last year, most experts are expecting another good haul for 2011. According to the California Department of Fish and Game, commercial crab fishermen took in about 19 million pounds in 2010.

The first crabs should begin showing up in markets later this week.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

• Tag: Commercial Fishermen, Crab Season, Markets, Prices, Seafood Processors