On August 14, 2026, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted new regulations aimed at reducing whale entanglements in the state’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery. The measures include a requirement for the fleet to comply with electronic vessel monitoring by February 2027, as well as provisions for experimental fishing permits that will facilitate the testing of whale-safe, pop-up fishing gear.
Under the new regulations, pop-up gear, also known as on-demand or ropeless fishing gear, may now be authorized for testing through an Experimental Fishing Gear Permit (EFGP). In addition, requirements related to surface gear have also been updated.