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Efforts to reduce entanglements
Know the current line marking requirements
Since 2014, increased interactions between protected marine species and fishing gear along the U.S. West Coast have led to an elevated level of marine life entanglement, including some involving gear that has been attributed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to Oregon fisheries. This increase has been driven largely by interactions between humpback whales and commercial Dungeness crab gear, but entanglements have been documented with other protected whale and sea turtle species as well. This situation threatens the stability of fisheries and coastal fishing communities.
For the past three decades, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has taken measures to limit fishing effort allowed for harvesting crab in Oregon's commercial Dungeness crab fishery for a variety of purposes. From limiting the number of boats and pots in the fishery to implementing a derelict gear removal program, these measures are the result of collaborative processes to sustainably manage the crab fishery, including reducing the risk of marine life entanglements.
More recently, ODFW has implemented a series of measures specifically designed to reduce the risk of marine life entanglements. Key measures included a 20 percent reduction in pot limits across all ocean Dungeness crab permits, a requirement for an additional late-season buoy tag, and a prohibition on commercial crabbing outside of 40 fathoms, all starting on May 1 of each season. ODFW has also taken steps to improve fishery accountability to provide critical information for addressing a range of issues, including being better able to monitor the fishing gear involved in future entanglements.
ODFW continues to work on building solutions to further reduce these risks, working with the crab industry, sport fishermen, conservation groups, federal agencies, and others on an on-going basis.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has submitted a draft Conservation Plan (CP) for formal review to the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The plan outlines how the state will continue protecting whales in areas where
the Oregon Dungeness crab fishery operates. This CP is required to obtain an incidental take permit under Section 10 of
the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Developed through extensive scientific analysis, ongoing monitoring, and
collaboration with conservation groups, fishermen, and federal and state management agencies, it represents an important
step in Oregon’s long-term effort to reduce marine life entanglement risk in Dungeness crab gear.
The CP provides a clear and comprehensive framework for minimizing and mitigating impacts to ESA-listed whale species of
incidental take as required by the ESA, while sustaining Oregon’s economically important Dungeness crab fishery. It
incorporates current science, builds in future flexibility, and ensures Oregon remains in alignment with federal laws.
It also helps establish clear expectations for how the state will respond if new information, technological advances, or
changes in whale populations call for adjustments to management.
As NMFS begins its next review, ODFW will continue to provide information to the public and work with partners to
protect Oregon’s marine environment for future generations. Opportunities for public comment on the CP will occur in the future when NMFS initiates a public review process under the ESA and National Environmental Policy Act.
DRAFT Conservation plan for reducing the impact of the Oregon ocean commercial Dungeness crab fishery on ESA-listed species off Oregon (pdf) (posted 6/16/2026)
NEW – Line marking webpage
Pop-up Gear Learning Exchange Workshop Summary, August 2025
ODFW letter to NMFS regarding the West Coast Take Reduction Team, August 2024 (pdf)
Oregon Entanglement Advisory Committee (OEAC)
Oregon Dungeness crab fishery management plan
Reducing risk of marine life entanglement in Oregon Dungeness crab gear – more history on measures taken to reduce entanglement specific to the commercial Oregon Dungeness crab fishery
Oregon whale distribution study
Whale Alert
NOAA Marine mammals on the West Coast: Fisheries interactions
CDFW Whale safe fisheries
WDFW Marine life entanglement information and resources
PSMFC Habitat program – Working to prevent whale entanglements
| For questions about efforts to address marine life entanglement in Oregon fisheries |
Brittany Harrington - Marine Life Entanglement Project Leader, Marine Resources Program
(541) 819-9246
brittany.l.harrington@odfw.oregon.gov |
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