Northern California Dungeness crab season delayed again

SAN FRANCISCO -- In news worthy of making some Bay Area residents crabby, the Northern California commercial Dungeness crab season has been delayed again, Fish and Wildlife officials said.

FOODIE CALL: Dungeness crab and corn chowder

Crab condition has improved from the last round of quality testing done Tuesday, wildlife officials said. However, the crab quality is not sufficient for the season to start, so the opening of crab season has been postponed until Jan. 15, 2018.

The delay affects Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties, according to wildlife officials. No vessel may take or land crab within those districts during the closure period.

This is the last delay Fish and Wildlife can issue because of Dungeness crab quality testing, wildlife officials said.