Oregon Commercial Ocean Dungeness Crab Fishery Gear Accountability, Feb. 6

ODFW release – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon State Police were notified of a potential large quantity of faulty zip ties to have been sold recently in coastal stores, including to the commercial fishing industry. We are providing this information to encourage all crabbers to regularly check that their buoy tags are secured adequately and replace any potentially faulty buoy tag attachment devices. GEAR ACCOUNTABILITY: This notice is also a reminder that it is the responsibility of the vessel operator to ensure every crab pot that they have in the ocean for commercial purposes has a current season buoy tag attached per OAR 635-005-0480. REPLACEMENT TAGS: ODFW will not be issuing replacement tags for faulty attachment mechanisms of buoy tags.