Commercial fishing of Dungeness crabs hit with another delay

ASTORIA, Ore. -- The commercial fishing of Dungeness crabs has been delayed again for Oregon and parts of Washington and California, giving the crabs more time to plump up.

The Daily Astorian reports fishery managers with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have delayed the fishery opening to Dec. 31 after testing found the crab meat yield too low.

Ongoing testing will determine if the fishery will open by that date or if another delay is called for.

The opening is traditionally set for Dec. 1, but testing in November initially delayed it to mid-December.

The delays are applied to parts of the three states under a tri-state agreement managing the commercial Dungeness fishery.

Commercial fishing of Dungeness crab is closed in Oregon for the rest of the year outside the season.