An update from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says that three out of the four Oregon meat recovery areas, Astoria, Port Orford and Brookings, that were retested for domoic acid did not meet recovery criteria, further delaying the opening of commercial Dungeness crab season.

Domoic acid found in crab guts is harmful to marine wildlife and also poses a danger to people who consume crab guts or viscera.

ODFW consulted with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Washington and California Departments of Fish and Wildlife, and came to an agreement to postpone commercial Dungeness crab season from Point Arena, California to the US/Canada border until at least December 31.

The department says that the delay will offer more time for additional testing for meat recovery and allow domoic acid to provide confidence that crab harvested from Oregon waters are of high quality for the season opening.