The latest Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife test of crab maturity has shown improvement, but commercial crab season still won’t start before Dec. 15.

Recreational crab fishing in the ocean also is closed until that date, although recreational harvesting in Oregon’s bays and estuaries remains open.

The usual Dec. 1 opening was delayed because tests showed the crab hadn’t developed enough meat for harvesting. Consensus must be reached between state agencies in Oregon, California and Washington before fishing can begin.

“We did our third round of tests in the last couple of days and that information is being compiled now,” said Justin Ainsworth, a shellfish biologist with ODFW. “There has been an improvement but I can’t guarantee that all ports hit their goal numbers.”

He said California will do similar testing to see if the crab there also are making  progress in maturity. The state of Washington must conduct tests, too.

The three states must be in agreement about a starting date and Ainsworth said those agreements “can be complicated.”

The season will not open until the crab reach proper size in all three states. Ainsworth said that’s important to ensure a high-quality product for consumers.

Testing in November showed that crab in most coastal areas didn’t meet the minimum quality criteria, he said.

Ainsworth emphasized the need for recreational crabbers to forgo ocean fishing at this time.

“We wanted to remind people of the delay because it’s pretty nice out there right now and weather forecasts are good into next week,” he said.