Oregon Dungeness Crab Pot Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries

Current Classification on the List of Fisheries

^ Number of participants estimates are based on state and federal fisheries permit data. The estimated number of participants is expressed in terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when possible.  If this information is not available, the estimated number of vessels or persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no recent information is available on the number of participants, then the number from the most recent LOF is used. NOAA Fisheries acknowledges that, in some cases, these estimations may be inflating actual effort.

*Observer coverage levels include the latest information reported in the most current final Stock Assessment Report (SAR).

¹ Indicates the stock or species is driving the classification of the fishery.

Basis for Current Classification

The mean annual mortality and serious injury of humpback whales (Central America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA stock) is greater than 1% and less than 50% of the stock’s Potential Biological Removal (PBR) level.

Distribution

This limited entry fishery operates along the coastal waters of Oregon in depths typically ranging from 10–50 fathoms, and within the Columbia River. The Dungeness crab season runs from December 1 to August 14, although the state may delay the opening based on the condition of the crabs or concern over domoic acid. Additionally, the state may close the season after the end of May if catch rates are still high to protect molting crab. The majority of the harvest occurs within the first eight weeks of the season. From May 1 through August 14, it is illegal to place crab pots deeper than 40 fathoms.

Gear Description

The cylindrical or rectangular pots used in the fishery are fished individually by law. The frame is enveloped with either PVC coating welded or galvanized welded mesh. The mesh consists of either low carbon steel wire or stainless steel wire. The mesh size can range from ½” x ½” to 2” x 3”. The trap colors can be metal, white, yellow, blue, gray, red or green. Most of the fishermen use black colored traps. Two or more cylindrical zinc coated weights are used to hold the trap down and in position, preventing it from hitting the bottom upside down. The pots cannot be larger than 13 cubic feet and must have at least two circular escape ports with 4¼ inch diameters on the top or sides of the pot. A maximum of 200, 300, or 500 pots may be fished at once by a permit holder based on implementation of a three-tiered pot limitation system. No more line than is necessary for the tides, currents, and weather can be used per crab pot. Crab pots must include a tag that identifies the owner or associated vessel. Buoys must include a unique buoy brand number and buoy color(s) registered to the owner by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and an ODFW buoy tag.

Management

This is a limited entry fishery managed by ODFW, consistent with the Tri-State Committee agreement for Dungeness crab, which also includes the states of California and Washington. Permits are transferable. Logbook reporting of effort and catch data to the state is required. Only male crabs with a minimum carapace width of 6¼ inches are allowed to be kept. In an attempt to limit the overlap of the fishery with whales, fishermen can only use 80% of the amount of gear assigned to them based on their permit tier after May 1 each year. To implement this, and to permit early retrieval of gear lost during the winter season, a secondary buoy tag is required from active gear from May 1 through August 14. Beginning mid-June through the end of the year, fishermen cannot take, land, or possess more than 1,200 pounds of Dungeness crab per week.

Historical Information

Timeline of Changes