ABERDEEN — Crab conditions tests carried out by California, Oregon and Washington have led the three states’ respective departments of fish and wildlife to postpone the beginning of Dungeness crab season until Dec. 15.
The three states tested recently and found the crab meat quality was still less than satisfactory, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The decision will affect crab boats operating out of Westport, a major port for Dungeness crabbing.
“Crab molt in the late fall and we’re giving them a chance to fill out,” Ayres said in a phone interview. “We’re seeing good numbers in our pots. It just takes a little longer because they have to look a little harder for groceries.”
The three states decided jointly to push the opening for crab fisheries after tests concluded they needed a little longer, Ayres said. The decision to push the opening back is not uncommon; four out of five of the last five years have seen delays to the season opening, Ayres said.