10/10/2026
FYI - All things Dungeness Crab Fishery
1. Recruitment opening for the Oregon Dungeness Crab Advisory Committee - ODCAC
The ODCAC serves as an advisory body to ODFW on ocean commercial crab policy issues. Input from this group helps the department address ongoing and new management issues, as well as season opening decisions.
ODFW strives for membership that represents the diversity of the ocean commercial industry, including buyers, harvesters, and industry groups with a range of business plans, vessel sizes, pot tiers, and home ports. To maintain this balance, ODFW is seeking to add representatives from each of the following ports: Garibaldi, Port Orford, and Brookings.
Member expectations
Members are expected to represent perspectives of industry members who are similarly situated, not limited to their own viewpoint. This means reaching out to contacts in their port, community, or professional network to get broader input on topics under discussion and sharing that with the committee. Members are expected to be courteous, professional, and respectful towards all ODCAC meeting attendees.
Active ODCAC members are expected to attend and contribute to the majority of meetings, held throughout the season opening decision process, with additional meetings as needed. Conference call options are available for all meetings, so that in-person attendance is not required. Meetings are open to the public. Priority is given to discussion with members, with a brief opportunity for public input at the end of each meeting, if time allows.
Application and appointment
An application form is available at: [https://forms.gle/5adJ79Z5gpdVKcxS7](https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fforms.gle%2F5adJ79Z5gpdVKcxS7/1/010101a11d5f95f0-96b30afe-851d-4800-90f3-b5336e9acf81-000000/Pcp9sOOji-Tvz4BX16yXtWoTuUlOxSucAjuLC9LY_f0=452). If interested in applying, please complete this form no later than October 25, 2026. For application assistance or to request a paper form, please contact ODFW using the information below.
In selecting a member, ODFW will consider the submitted information, relevant expertise or past engagement in commercial crab policy issues, and how an applicant aligns with the attributes that ODFW is seeking to represent. ODFW may also consider licensing, landing, enforcement, and other relevant information. ODFW plans to announce appointments by the end of October.
2. Upcoming voluntary electronic logbook training opportunities
Starting February 1, 2027, all vessels participating in Oregon’s ocean commercial crab fishery are required to have a functioning electronic monitoring (EM) system that automatically records vessel location and the location of individual pots using hydraulic pressure sensor readings.
ODFW will make an electronic logbook that integrates with EM available for voluntary use by December 1, 2026. The electronic logbook will improve the quality, speed, and usability of data received by ODFW, while lessening the recordkeeping burden for fishery participants. Those who choose not to use the electronic logbook application will be required to maintain a paper logbook.
The application developer, Harbor Light Software, and ODFW will hold four training sessions for those that are interested in learning about the electronic logbook application. Trainers will provide a demonstration of how to use the logbook application. For those unable to attend training sessions in person, a recording will be posted on the [EM webpage](https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dfw.state.or.us%2FMRP%2Fshellfish%2Fcommercial%2Fcrab%2Fe-monitoring.asp/1/010101a11d5f95f0-96b30afe-851d-4800-90f3-b5336e9acf81-000000/WtERQMcK4ig8H620RGVAD_3yF6b0XiO9sgZHtkWP88Y=452) after the training session. Training session times and locations:
Newport�Monday, October 26th 1-4:30pm�Guin Library Seminar Room�2030 SE Marine Science Dr�Newport, OR 97365
Astoria�Tuesday, October 27th 11:30am-2:30pm�Astoria Public Library�450 10th St�Astoria, OR 97103
Brookings�Wednesday, October 28th 1-4:30pm�Brookings Elks Lodge #1934�800 Elk Dr�Brookings OR 97415
North Bend�Thursday, October 29th 1-4:30pm�North Bend Public Library�1800 Sherman Ave�North Bend, OR 97459
If you have questions about EM or electronic logbooks, contact the EM Program at 541-857-2522 or [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
Cathleen Vestfals, Commercial Crab Project Leader, 541-961-6924, [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
Troy Buell, State Fishery Manager, 541-961-8135, [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
