[ODFW-News] Fish and Wildlife Commission limits commercial crab pots

[ODFW News]

For Immediate Release Friday, June 9, 2006
 
Fish and Wildlife Commission limits commercial crab pots 
 
SALEM - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission today moved to establish
limits on the number of Dungeness crab pots commercial crab boats may
fish in the ocean during their Dungeness crab season.
 
The decision came after more than two years of meetings with the public
and members of the crab industry. The pot-limit plan grew out of a crab
summit last July, when crab fishermen met with ODFW staff to discuss
issues important to the industry. Since then, ODFW staff have worked
with Oregon crab permit holders, processors and other interested public
and received hundreds of phone calls, letters and emails. 
 
The Commission directed staff to develop a plan for crab pot limits
after members of the commercial crab industry voiced concerns about
derby-style behavior during the winter opening of the season and
problems associated with excess gear in this fishery. 
 
The Commission was briefed on the development of the plan and heard
public testimony on it during its regular monthly meetings in October,
March and April.
 
The plan adopted today will have three tiers of limits - 200, 300, and
500 pots per vessel, depending on the vessel's landings during the six
seasons between 1995 and 2001. This plan meets the Commission's target
of reducing the total number of pots in the fishery from approximately
200,000 pots to around 150,200. 
 
The pot limits will be in effect throughout the season, which usually
begins Dec. 1 but seasons may be delayed to ensure the crabs are of top
quality. The Commission directed that the pot limits take effect for the
2006-2007 commercial crab season.
 
The Commission is the policy making body for fish and wildlife issues in
the state. The seven-member panel meets monthly.
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