The summer season for Dungeness crab starts on Monday, June 12, 2023. A weekly landing limit of 1200 lbs. will be in effect through the season closure on August 14.

ODFW is anticipating above average crabbing effort in Oregon waters for the month of May, based on the high volume of late-season tag purchases. Due to this and recent observations of whales, we are issuing a marine life entanglement Fleet Advisory for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery in all waters off Oregon through May 31st (also attached). Crab fishing participants should remain vigilant and move or avoid setting gear in areas where humpback whales are transiting or foraging to further minimize risk of entanglement, effective immediately. This advisory will remain in effect through May 31, 2023.

We want to encourage the fleet to consider participating in the Post-Season Derelict Gear Recovery Program (industry notice attached) either by directly applying for a permit to recover gear or by reporting any derelict gear you see on the water after Aug 14th. The program starts Aug 30th and will be open through Oct 11th. All information about the program, including gear registered and gear reported, can be found on the ODFW website here http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/commercial/crab/psdgrp.asp.

NEWPORT, Ore – 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.

Specific management goals and objectives are included to support long-term sustainability of this important fishery, coastal communities, and larger ecosystems.

ODFW sought input from interested stakeholders on a draft version of the FMP during a 30-day public comment period which ended on Oct. 15, 2021. That same day, ODFW presented the draft plan to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission and heard public testimony.

ODFW updated the draft FMP to incorporate public and Commission input and provided written responses addressing comments that were not incorporated.

ODFW reminds that the industry reminder notice was sent out mid-march on all of the late-season mitigation measures – the main ones including a 20% pot limit reduction, 40 fathom depth restriction and a late-season tag requirement. The notice included the form to purchase late-season tags. Please review the notice carefully if you intend to crab after May 1. “In response to industry requests, we have increased the amount of time you have to attach the late-season tags to your gear before they are required on May 1.”

Federal commercial fishery loans are available to vessel owners, most at 15 years with current fixed interest rates of approximately 3.75%. NOAA Fisheries offer loans for both purchasing and refinancing. Loans are at 80% LTV and they have no prepayment penalties for early repayment.

These reminders were distributed by ODFW during hold inspections. Make sure you give them a serious look.

The public is invited to comment on ODFW’s draft conservation plan (CP) addressing marine life entanglement in commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear along the Oregon coast.

Over the past six years, ODFW has been actively working with industry and many other partners to address marine life entanglements in Oregon’s crab and other fisheries. ODFW developed a proactive management strategy for the Oregon ocean commercial Dungeness crab fishery that is now documented in the draft CP. The overarching vision of the plan is for the co-existence of a vibrant commercial crab fishery and recovering ESA-listed populations of humpback whales, blue whales and leatherback sea turtles in ocean waters off Oregon.

Any member of the fleet can now get information texted directly to their cell phones from the commission. Click on the link for more information.

The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center has completed its Maritime Safety Information upgrade in the Pacific Northwest and now offers Broadcast Notice to Mariners via email in addition to radio broadcasts. Notices are divided in to three sectors, mariners can subscribe to any or all:
Sector North Bend – Southern and central Oregon coast and rivers
Sector Columbia River – Northern Oregon coast, southern and central Washington coast, Columbia, Snake, and Willamette Rivers
Sector Puget Sound – Northern Washington coast, Strait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Islands and neighboring straits, Puget Sound, and Lake Washington

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is sending this industry notice as a reminder of the whale entanglement mitigation measures that will be in place May 1, 2021.
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (OFWC) adopted regulatory changes to address whale entanglements at their September 11, 2020 virtual meeting.

All of the materials from this meeting, including the background, rationale, and rule language are located here:
https://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/. The first notice of these changes was mailed to all permit holders and crab buyers on September 25, 2020 and is posted on our website here
https://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/commercial/crab/whale_entanglement.asp.

The measures include:
Reduced pot limits by 20% combined with a 40 fathom depth restriction and a required late-season buoy tag in addition to primary season tag (order form is attached to the link).

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted new regulations for the ocean commercial crab fishery at its meeting on September 11, 2020. The Commission listened to testimony and discussed alternatives arriving at the adopted regulatory package of 20% pot limit reduction as of May 1, inside of 40 fathoms, over a 3-season evaluation period (sunset). All other measures to reduce risk were adopted as recommended. Click on the headline to read the industry notice, which contains the details of the adopted regulations and how to implement them this coming crab season. These regulations, along with the regulations adopted in September 2019 (gear marking, electronic tickets, etc.), will be the core of the Conservation Plan we submit to NOAA (winter 2021), in order to be considered for an Incidental Take Permit. The industry notice also announces the dates of our upcoming industry public meetings – Oct 8th and 22nd, by virtual meeting. Lastly, the industry notice provides a heads up to the fleet about changes to pre-season testing procedures in response to COVID transmission concerns. Our plans are still evolving but we are working to limit interaction between ODFW staff and vessel crews, while still providing assurance that testing is valid.

New temporary rules notice, and target dates for re-scheduling proposal of phase II whale entanglement mitigation regulatory package to the
OFWC (for proposed implementation next crab season 2020-21).

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.

The Coast Guard considers it a hazardous condition under 33 CFR 160.216 if anyone, regardless of where they have been or who they have interacted with, shows symptoms of COVID-19 or other flu like illness. This requires immediate notification to the nearest Coast Guard COTP.

As discussions of offshore wind development in the U.S. continue to progress, Pacific fishermen have expressed significant concern over the lack of communication and collaboration necessary to inform coexistence among ocean users. The RODA-Pacific Advisory Committee is comprised of leaders from several West Coast fisheries throughout California and Oregon. Its purpose is to improve science and policy approaches to development, while also increasing and improving communication to help strengthen ties between Pacific fishermen and fishing communities across the country.

The focus of Phase II whale entanglement management measures is to help reduce risk of whale entanglements in crab gear by reducing the number of vertical lines in the water. To prepare for Phase II recommendations to the OFWC, the ODFW is hosting four regional Dungeness crab public industry meetings to solicit targeted input.

Materials available from the Workshop in April