ODFW / OFWC Notice: Public Comment Requested on Dungeness Crab Fishery Rules
Deadline for written comments to be distributed to Commissioners: February 16th
Commission meeting date: February 20, 2026
Petition received: December 11, 2025
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is informing industry members that on December 11th, 2025, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (OFWC) received a formal petition from several conservation groups requesting new measures and amendments to existing rules in the Oregon commercial Dungeness crab fishery to reduce the risk of marine life entanglements.
The petition’s stated purpose is to: strengthen Oregon’s current entanglement risk reduction measures, create a pathway for authorization of safer pop-up fishing gear, and establish a process for timely public reporting of marine mammal or sea turtle entanglements in Oregon commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear.
Petition document:
https://oregondungeness.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/11December2025_ODFW-Petition-for-Regulation-Change.pdf
Key Requests in the Petition
The petition requests several changes, including:
- Establishing a process for pop-up gear authorization.
- Adjusting late-season measures to include a 40% pot limit reduction and a 30 fathom depth restriction (with pop-up gear exempt) effective April 1 each season through 2028.
- Prohibiting conventional (non-pop-up) gear after April 1 each season starting in 2028.
- Requiring ODFW to provide public notice of any marine mammal or sea turtle entanglement in Oregon or in gear originating from Oregon within 48 hours of receiving a report.
- Requiring emergency procedures (including zonal or statewide closures to conventional gear) in response to confirmed entanglements of ESA-listed animals in Oregon crab gear (or unknown gear that may be Oregon crab gear).
Rulemaking Timeline (What Happens Next)
By statute, the OFWC must either initiate rulemaking or issue a written denial within 90 days of receiving the petition (by March 11, 2026). ODFW is currently reviewing the petition as required by statute.
ODFW will provide an assessment and recommendation to the OFWC at the Commission meeting on February 20, 2026.
Industry notice (more information):
https://oregondungeness.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Crab_Petition_Industry_Notice_012226.pdf
Submit Comments / Public Testimony
Written Comments (Email)
Comments can be sent via email to:
odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov
Important:
Comments received by February 16th will be distributed to Commissioners by email. Comments received after February 16th will be posted to the website and included in the record, but Commissioners may not have time to read comments submitted after the 16th before the February 20th meeting.
Meeting Procedures
For instructions on testimony and participation:
https://myodfw.com/meeting-procedures
Public Testimony and Public Forum
There are two ways to provide testimony on an exhibit or make a public comment:
1) Commenting on an Exhibit
To provide virtual testimony on an exhibit scheduled on the meeting agenda, register at the link provided on the meeting agenda page at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting (typically by 8 a.m. the Wednesday before the Friday meeting). You will receive a testimony link to the meeting.
To provide testimony in person, you can register using the agenda page link or sign up in person at the meeting.
2) Providing Comments During Public Forum
The Commission includes an open public forum at each full Commission meeting for input on matters not included in the established agenda.
To provide a comment virtually or in-person during public forum, you must submit a request using the public forum link on the meeting agenda page no less than 48 hours in advance (typically by 8 a.m. the Wednesday before the Friday meeting) for approval.
Written Comments on Agenda Items
Members of the public can also submit written comments on certain items on the agenda. To submit written comments on an exhibit, use the link provided under that exhibit. Written comments should be received at least 48 hours before the meeting.
Written materials received 72 hours in advance will be shared with Commissioners prior to the meeting. Later submissions will be included in the record and distributed to the Commission as time allows.
Contacts
- Brittany Harrington: 541-819-9246 — Brittany.L.Harrington@odfw.oregon.gov
- Cathleen Vestfals: 541-961-6924 — cathleen.d.vestfals@odfw.oregon.gov
- Troy Buell: 541-961-8135 — Troy.V.Buell@odfw.oregon.gov