Sponsored story courtesy of the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission.
The Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission was established in 1977 by the Oregon Legislature as an industry-funded agency and part of the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Commission program. This unique assembly of eight peer-appointed fishers allows for pooled funds to increase recognition, value, and use for Oregon Dungeness crab.
The Oregon Dungeness crab fishery is one of the few remaining state-managed fisheries in the country. The simple harvest system of ‘size, sex, and season’ results in minimal catch mortality. Conservation is at the forefront and includes gear regulations, escape rings for females and undersized males, and biodegradable components on lid closures so lost pots in winter storms will release trapped crabs.
Since 2014, the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, in partnership with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, has worked to recover lost, or “derelict,” gear. This post-season program retrieves crab pots lost due to heavy storms, drifting debris, or vessel traffic. This reduces waste as well as the potential for entanglements with protected marine species such as humpback whales.
The mission of the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission is to enhance the image of crab fisheries through promotion, education and research. The commission works to practice sustainability, ensuring a healthy ocean with long-term ecological benefits in order to maintain the hundred-plus year industry for future generations.
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