2023-24 Commercial Dungeness Crab Cape Foulweather (44º 46′ 24″ N. Lat.) to OR/CA border Season Opening Schedule

Commercial Dungeness crab fishing opens Feb. 4 on the remaining southern portion of Oregon’s coastline from Cape Arago (just south of Charleston) to the California border.
The earliest a crab season may start is Dec. 1 pending meat fill and biotoxin results. This year, the season opener was delayed due to crab in some areas with low meat fill or high domoic acid levels in crab viscera (guts). It opened Jan. 15 from Cape Falcon to Cape Arago and opens Feb. 1 from Cape Falcon to the Washington border

ODFW releases comprehensive new Dungeness crab fishery management plan

ODFW recently finalized the first of its kind management plan for one of Oregon’s most iconic fisheries: Dungeness crab.
The comprehensive Oregon Dungeness crab fishery management plan (FMP) covers both commercial and recreational Dungeness crab fisheries.
The FMP describes the Dungeness crab fisheries in Oregon, provides an overview of the regulatory framework and management approach, and helps continue good governance of these fishery sectors.
Final_Dungeness_Crab_FMP_March_2022

Oregon commercial Dungeness crab industry leading on reducing risks to whales

ODFW is asking commercial Dungeness crab industry representatives to help design the next steps in reducing risk of whale and sea turtle entanglements in crab fishing gear. ODFW is hosting virtual public meetings Oct. 8 and Oct. 22 to further develop the draft conservation plan describing Oregon’s actions to support both this culturally iconic fishery and reduce entanglements. NEWS RELEASE

Commission adopts new commercial Dungeness crab regulations

SALEM, Ore.—The Fish & Wildlife Commission adopted measures to reduce the risk of whale entanglement in commercial Dungeness crab gear, while balancing economic impacts to this important fishery during their meeting today(Friday, September 11th).

The new rules will be effective during the coming crab season, which begins Dec. 1, 2020. Starting May 1 each season, the new rules reduce crab pot limits by 20 percent, and restrict gear to inside 40 fathoms (the commission opted to adjust from 30 fathoms), to avoid deeper waters where humpback whales are more abundant. A season tag requirement to identify gear used after May 1 and a three-year sunset to evaluate these measures were also adopted. The Commission also put in place other measures to reduce overlap that are detailed in the Commission agenda item summary. For biotoxin management measures in the crab fishery, the Commission aligned buffer area management and effective date of management measures to be consistent with the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s crab biotoxin rules.

USDA making Seafood Trade Relief Program (STRP) available

The USDA announced that it is making approximately $530 million available to assist U.S. fishermen through the Seafood Trade Relief Program (STRP). This program is being funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation and administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Fishermen can sign-up for relief through the program from September 14, 2020 to December 14, 2020.

Payments are based on 2019 landings of Atka mackerel; Crab, Dungeness, King, Snow, Southern Tanner; Flounder, Geoduck, Goosefish, Herrings, Lobster, Pacific Cod, Pacific Ocean Perch, Pollock, Sablefish, Salmon, Sole, Squid, Tuna, and Turbot.

Post-season Derelict Commercial Crab Gear Recovery Program Open

ODFW Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Update

The post-season derelict commercial crab gear recovery program is open 8/31 through 10/11.

Report locations of derelict commercial crab gear to 541-867-0300, ext. 267 or email Eric.S.Anderson@state.or.us.

For more information see https://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/commercial/crab/psdgrp.asp.