Oregon Coast's Crabbing Fleet Heads Out with Whale Entanglement Advisory

Published 12/13/25 at 9:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) – As crabbing fleets hit the deep blue sea this month there are concerns from various state agencies and environmental groups about the safety of whales out there – and not just the Oregon coastline. (Photo Marine Mammal Stranding Network - young humpback that stranded in November at Yachats)

2025 saw four humpback whales entangled in Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear, which caused several conservation groups to formally petition the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (ODFWC) to adopt stronger measures aimed at reducing risks to the endangered species.

“This year’s horrific entanglements show that humpbacks face serious danger from Oregon crab gear,” said Ben Grundy, oceans campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity.

Grundy said these were preventable deaths.

While not completely endangered around the world, their different populations are protected. However, numbers can differ by the varied populations - or sub-species. Off Oregon shores, these sub-species are considered "depleted" and "endangered" - firmly protected by law. See OSU article

According to ODFWC this year included:

- January 6 – A humpback whale entangled in multiple sets of Oregon crab gear was reported off Pacific City. Some gear was removed by an unauthorized party, but at least two buoys remained attached when the whale swam away.

- September 25 – An entanglement observed off Baja California was not reported until November. Some gear was removed by an unauthorized party. Additional gear of unknown origin may have been present; NMFS is investigating.

- September 26 – A humpback whale entanglement off Moss Landing, California. Photographs and resightings led to attribution to Oregon crab gear on October 17. Response efforts have been unsuccessful.

- November 15 – A juvenile humpback stranded alive near Yachats while entangled. Multiple release attempts failed. After veterinary assessment, the whale was euthanized on November 17. Necropsy was conducted November 18; results pending.

The answer, groups say, is requiring whale-safe gear, such as pop-up buoys for crab pots.

US Coast Guard hangs with humpbacks near Coos Bay

In 2023 there was a humpback whale spotted off the coasts of Oregon and Washington that was apparently entangled, but its fate was unknown.

The petition calls for reducing the amount of gear in the water during feeding and migration seasons and creating a pathway for fishers to use pop-up gear, which eliminates untended buoy lines. It was filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Oceana, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the American Cetacean Society.

Pop-up gear has already been tested in California’s Dungeness crab fishery with promising results. Recent trials show it to be reliable, profitable, and safer for whales. It even has a proven track record with other marine animals, including sea turtles.

It's entirely possible there are more whale incidents than the four reported, said the coalition. Federal data released in September suggest actual figures may be five times greater, meaning as many as 20 whales could have been entangled this year.

Photo Leigh Torres (Yachats in November)

On December 5, ODFW issued a fleet advisory urging crabbers to be vigilant and take precautions to avoid entanglements. While the agency did not include enforcement measures, authorities said they are considering further regulatory action.

Each entanglement of a humpback whale or sea turtle in Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery constitutes a violation of the federal Endangered Species Act.

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