ASTORIA — The commercial Dungeness crab season on the Oregon Coast has been delayed until at least Jan. 15 as preseason testing continues to show low meat yield in some areas.

Elevated domoic acid levels are also still detected in some crab viscera.

More testing will take place in the coming weeks to help determine if the season will be delayed longer. Different opening dates could be split among several areas.

The announcement marks the third delay so far this year. The season’s target date for opening day is traditionally Dec. 1, but delays have been common in recent years.

Postponements of the commercial crab season, which is one of Oregon’s most valuable fisheries, are intended to ensure customers get a high-quality product and crabs are not wasted. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife tests crabs out of Oregon’s six major crabbing ports.

Washington state and California coordinate crab quality testing and season opening dates along with Oregon, and have also delayed commercial seasons until at least Jan. 15.