Eager crackers may need to hold on to their crab mallets a few days longer. The Chronicle reports that the always eagerly anticipated dungeness crab fishing season, which was supposed to begin bright and early this morning, has been delayed due to a dispute in pricing between the Crab Boat Owners Association and the local seafood processors. After a disappointing salmon season, the fisherman are hoping to get $2.50 per pound for the crustaceans. Last year's going rate was about 75 cents less.

Still, both are expecting a boom year for the local Dungeness after last year's record take of 19 million pounds. Thanks to a bill from Governor Brown that limits the amount of crab per boat, local fisherman expect the fishing season to last well in to February. Which means you can plan on fresh crab dip for your Superbowl parties.

Larry Collins, president of the Crab Boat association told the Chronicle, "people can count on Thanksgiving" for the earliest availability of crabmeat.

[Chron]