Oregon has issued a fleet advisory for its commercial Dungeness crab fisheries due to a rise in whale entanglements. The advisory, effective immediately, applies to all fisheries off the coast and will remain in place throughout the crab season unless superseded.
The advisory follows a January 6 incident where a humpback whale was found entangled in multiple sets of commercial crab gear. This was the first humpback entanglement reported in Oregon this year, but 2024 saw a record high number of such incidents.
Last year, Oregon commercial crab gear was responsible for four whale entanglements, affecting three humpback whales and one fin whale. Both species are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
The advisory urges crab fishing vessels to remain vigilant and keep their gear away from areas frequented by whales. However, Oceana, a marine conservation organization, considers the advisory insufficient.
Oceana argues that the number of whale entanglements has increased despite risk reduction measures implemented in 2021. They advocate for a conservation plan that includes prohibiting conventional crab gear in high-risk areas and permitting whale-safe "pop-up" gear instead.
Oregon's record high whale entanglements align with national trends. Preliminary data suggests 34 incidents occurred along the West Coast last year, the highest number since 2018.