ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) — For the first time in years, commercial Dungeness crab fisheries in Washington, Oregon and Northern California will start their season on Dec. 1 after preseason testing showed high meat yield in crabs.

Marine toxins, skinny crabs and contentious price negotiations have all played a role in delaying the start of the northwest’s commercial Dungeness crab season recently.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish manager Dan Ayres says crab could be at markets in time for Christmas this year, another first in a long time.