News

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.

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.

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.

Nearly $16 million in CARES Act funding to be made available to Oregon’s marine-related and coastal fishery businesses impacted by COVID-19 CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Buoy 46015 off Port Orford is expected to be redeployed,possibly within the next ten days.

The White House has issued an executive order promoting competitiveness and economic growth of American seafood.

Proposed Budget ’20-21 will next go to the full board of commissioners.

Illness of a person onboard any vessel that may adversely affect the safety of a vessel or port facility is a hazardous condition per 33 CFR 160.216 and must be reported immediately to the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP). Cases of persons who exhibit symptoms consistent with COVID-19 must be reported to the COTP.Click here to read full release.

UPDATE- deadline extended until March 23, 2020

ODA Director Alexis Taylor is responsible for appointing commissioners. Dungeness Crab Commission – 3 producers (1 each from Port of Astoria, Charleston, and Newport). The deadline to apply is March 16, 2020. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORODA/bulletins/27b43dd

An engineering firm and prime contractor have been selected to complete the necessary work and engineering and design have commenced. http://oregondungeness.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Ice-House-Project-Update-7FEB20.pdf