Danner Walters and Brandon Vitkoczy help offload 25,000 pounds of crab from the hold of the F/V Brandy on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 at Safe Coast Seafoods in Ilwaco.

ILWACO — Dungeness crab managers for the mainland West Coast did as expected and delayed opening the commercial Dungeness crab season until at least Dec. 15.

Crab have been slow to put on meat and their shells are still too soft — only about 10% are hard enough in the prime area between Klipsan and the mouth of the Columbia. The meat level was 17% when last tested on Nov. 7, far below the 23% requirement.

It appears unlikely the season will open before the end of the year. Last season, harvesting didn’t start until February.

WDFW plans to complete the next round of testing within both the Westport and Long Beach Test Areas before Dec. 7.