By Jeff Skrzypek

NEWPORT, Ore. -- Fishermen up and down the Oregon Coast are anticipating and preparing for the opening of this year's Dungeness Crab season.

Trappers say they are looking forward to a good season this year and are hoping their numbers are better than last year. The faltering economy drove prices on crab meat down, but fishermen also say the quality of crab was not the best.

Fishermen say they are worried about how their Dungeness Crab catches will fare this year, especially with the economy still in a slump. They say they need a big year this season to help cover the steep fuel costs and gear expenses.

Shellfish experts say looking at the tests they have conducted, the fishermen may have their year this season. Officials with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife say so far, the Dungeness Crab they have pulled up are full of meat and appear to be healthy. The early numbers that have been reported by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are an assuring sign for crab fishermen along the Oregon Coast.

Officials say if they receive the results they are expecting from other tests, they say Dungeness Crab season will start when they anticipated at the beginning of December. Next week, officials say there will be setting a starting price for Dungeness Crab. Fishermen are hoping for a boost from last the 2008 starting price, which was $1.60 per pound.