Low oxygen levels in the ocean can wipe out crabs and bottom-dwelling fish. Scientists worry it could create a large “dead zone” off the coast of Oregon and Washington this year.
This year's hypoxia season has come far earlier than usual
This year's hypoxia season has come far earlier than usual
![crabs caught in crab pot above the water](https://ib.oregonstate.edu/sites/ib.oregonstate.edu/files/styles/1460_x_var/public/2022-12/crabs_0.jpg?itok=3-ZFi8lr)
Dungeness crab caught in crab pot off of Port Orford, Ore., on May 13, 2018. Photo by Arya Surowidjojo / OPB