
Pescatores is proud to present their 16th Annual Crab Fest, coming in March 2011. This has become a much anticipated event in the city of Victoria. Seafood lovers and diners mark their calendars and line up at the door to feast on Pescatores fabulous fresh crab creations. This Fest is not only about Crab, it is a celebration of our beautiful West Coast, Seafood and Victoria’s Dining Scene.
Probably the biggest draw is our full Dungeness Crab Dinner offered for less than $20, an amazing deal that only happens once a year. Dungeness Crab are the local favourite, found fresh in the waters surrounding our fair city. Full Dungeness crabs are not all that’s on this year’s menu which is yet to be announced. Pescatores also offers gorgeous Alaskan King Crab and a number of delicious appetizers and entrees featuring this coveted seafood as an ingredient. Stay tuned for our full menu…
The Dungeness Crab
Scientific name:
Cancer magister
Taxonomy:
Cancridae
Region:
North America
At a glance:
The Dungeness crab is a highly prized sport and commercial shellfish well familiar to people living along North America’s west coast. This crab is one of the 35 true crabs living in Canada’s Pacific waters. Its scientific name, Cancer magister, means “chief crab.” Its common name, Dungeness, was inspired by the name of a fishing port near Puget Sound, Washington.
Curiosities:
People often mistake empty Dungeness shells strewn along beaches for dead crabs. Crabs shed and grow new shells regularly as part of their growth process. The old shell splits at the back and along the sides so the crab can back out. The shell the crab leaves behind is an almost intact replica of the crab.
About the Dungeness crab:
Dungeness crabs are typically light brown in colour. These creatures have one pair of claws and four pairs of walking legs. Their claws are serrated and so are the edges of their shells-from the eyes down to the middle of the body.
Crabs are measured by the width of their shell, which is also called the ‘carapace’. A male Dungeness crab can grow to a width of about 230 mm and can weigh up to about 2 kg.
The Dungeness crab’s slender, light-coloured claw tips distinguish it from other crab species, as does its relatively large size.
As a predator, the Dungeness crab eats clams, mussels, crabs and other crustaceans as well as some small fish. Crabs pursue prey more actively at night, tending to bury themselves in the sand during the day. When moving along the sea bottom, these crabs find and capture prey by probing the sand with their legs or claws. Dungeness crabs can move in any direction-quickly enough to give a scuba diver a run for his money!
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/publications/uww-msm/articles/dungenesscrab-crabedesneiges-eng.html