The commercial Dungeness crab season north of Sonoma County will be delayed at least two weeks to allow crabs more time to grow. The delay will ensure the crab are of suitable market quality before harvest begins.

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) delayed the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season after tests showed crabs in the area lacked the required body mass. The decision means the scheduled Dec. 1 opening will be pushed back at least two weeks and possibly longer if the crabs need more time to mature.

The central California commercial Dungeness crab season is set to open on schedule Nov. 15.

The North Coast crab fishery is subject to tests to ensure the crabs are not harvested prematurely. "Tests are routinely performed each year by the commercial fishing industry and market buyers to determine if the crabs are mature enough for harvest," said DFG Environmental Scientist Christy Juhasz.

"Crabs ready for harvest should contain 25 percent of their body weight as meat. In tests performed two weeks ago, crabs from the North Coast contained only 16-18 percent body mass," Juhasz added.

Additional testing will be done in December, and depending on those results a further delay could be ordered. A similar delay was implemented last year off the North Coast.

"Crabs from the Central Coast do not fall under the same restrictions and so their season will open as normal on Nov. 15. Fresh crab should then be available to consumers, provided the fishermen and the markets can agree on market prices," Juhasz said.