Oregon and California Ocean Enforcement Teams Bust Crab Boat Operators

All commercial fishing laws are Class A Misdemeanors punishable by a fine up to $6,250 and up to one year in jail.

Photos: Oregon State Police

(SALEM) - Following the implementation of Oregon's new commercial crab gear rules, fish and wildlife enforcement personnel along the west coast and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) have been working off the Oregon coast and found that violations of these new rules were occurring.

Numerous commercial crab pots were seized and violations noted that are leading to several investigations.

The new rules 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. The Commission says this plan meets their 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. 1st 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.

"This joint enforcement patrol showed that violations of the new crab pot rules were prevalent coast wide." said Lieutenant Jeff Samuels of the Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division. During the past two weeks, the OSP Fish & Wildlife Division in conjunction with Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, California Department of Fish & Game and the USCG, worked off the Oregon coast enforcing the new commercial crab pot gear rules. In addition, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) graciously assisted with fuel for the patrol vessels from Washington and California.

OSP Fish & Wildlife Troopers were able to identify unlawful gear using rigid hull inflatable patrol vessels, along with assistance from the USCG. The patrol vessels from Washington and California had OSP Troopers aboard, and over a period of 4 days were able to seize over 110 unlawful commercial crab pots from at least 14 commercial crab vessels. As a result of this effort, over 200 violations were identified and one search warrant was served. Investigations are ongoing.

The OSP Fish & Wildlife Division praised the multi-agency assistance. "Without the partnerships and cooperation of all the supporting agencies, this operation would not have been successful." said Lieutenant Samuels. "Our Department just does not have a patrol vessel capable of pulling commercial crab gear, nor the ability to haul this gear to shore."

Patty Burke, the manager of the Marine Resources Program at ODFW added that without a seaworthy state enforcement vessel, the Oregon State Police have been incredibly resourceful.

"They have maximized their partnerships with our neighboring states' enforcement agencies to get the job done," said Burke. "This work is a real testament to the hard work and cooperation between ODFW and OSP to implement this new regulation effectively. Without enforcement and quick responses to complaints, we cannot have a level playing field. Without that, the intent of this law to improve the conduct and value of this fishery is not possible."

Information regarding these new commercial crab rules can be found on ODFW's website at dfw.state.or.us/MRP/crab_pot or at any ODFW office.

All commercial fishing laws are Class A Misdemeanors punishable by a fine up to $6,250 and up to one year in jail.