New Oregon Coast Crab Gear Effort Hoping to Cut Back Whale Entanglement

Published 08/17/2026 at 6:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) – There is hopefully some relief for crabbers and humpback whales along the Oregon coast, as state officials make efforts to lessen the frequency of whale entanglement. (Above: entangled humpback that died on the beach at Yachats in 2025 / Hatfield Marine Science Center photo)

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on Friday approved a series of rule changes aimed at strengthening the state’s efforts to reduce whale entanglements in the commercial Dungeness crab fishery.

The package includes a new electronic vessel monitoring requirement for all commercial crab boats on the Oregon coast, updated criteria for issuing experimental gear permits, and a small adjustment to surface gear allowances. Beginning Feb. 1, 2027, crab vessels must install monitoring devices that transmit location and other data at set intervals. ODFW says the system will improve real-time tracking of fishing activity, enhance understanding of where crab gear overlaps with whales, and bolster enforcement of season openings, area closures and traceability rules.

The agency is pursuing federal funding to help offset costs for crabbers, including reimbursement for monitoring equipment.

Commissioners also adopted changes to Oregon’s Experimental Fishing Gear Permit program, clearing the way for testing alternative gear as early as spring 2027. Interest in new gear types has grown as the industry looks for ways to reduce entanglement risk, but testing in Oregon coast waters is still needed.

Friday’s actions continue a long-running effort by ODFW and the fleet to reduce whale entanglements.

NOAA photo

“There has been a steady march forward on this front in a positive and sustained way,” said Vice Chair Becky Hatfield-Hyde.

Commissioner Jim Labhart noted the state’s decade-long work on the issue.

Video: Oregon Coast Experts, Scientists Free Humpback Whale Snagged by Fishing Gear in a Disturbing Way - Whale's mouth was forced open wider than should be possible

"The record shows we are taking a progressive and adaptive approach while working to protect the economic viability of the crab industry," he said.

Meanwhile, the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission just released this today (Monday) about crabbing gear:

"The Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission is launching Round 2 of the Gear Retrieval Effort (GREASE), an industry-led program aimed at removing lost and abandoned Dungeness crab gear from Oregon waters. This effort helps keep our oceans cleaner, reduces marine debris, and further lowers the risk of marine mammal entanglements."

The agency is working in partnership with ODFW. Together the two are seeking Oregon commercial crab vessels to participate in recovering derelict crab gear along the Oregon coast.

Applications Open: August 18, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Applications Close: August 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM

They are seeking one participating vessel from each of the following ports:
✅ Astoria
✅ Garibaldi
✅ Newport
✅ Coos Bay
✅ Port Orford
✅ Brookings

Application materials are available at: 🌐 www.oregondungeness.org

If you're a licensed Oregon Dungeness commercial crabber and meet the program requirements, please submit your GREASE application and W-9 before the deadline.

"See derelict gear? Help us locate it! Report lost or abandoned gear by:
541-267-5810 www.crystal@oregondungeness.org"

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