Public comment requested on draft whale entanglement conservation plan, Aug. 20

ODFW release – NEWPORT, Ore. – The public is invited to comment on ODFW’s draft conservation plan (CP) addressing marine life entanglement in commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear along the Oregon coast. Over the past six years, ODFW has been actively working with industry and many other partners to address marine life entanglements in Oregon’s crab and other fisheries. ODFW developed a proactive management strategy for the Oregon ocean commercial Dungeness crab fishery that is now documented in the draft CP. The overarching vision of the plan is for the co-existence of a vibrant commercial crab fishery and recovering ESA-listed populations of humpback whales, blue whales and leatherback sea turtles in ocean waters off Oregon. The full draft CP is posted on ODFW’s whale entanglement mitigation webpage commencing a 30-day public comment period ahead of an informational briefing to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission at their Sept. 17 meeting. ODFW will consider public input received from the comment period, testimony at the Commission briefing, and Commission guidance as the CP draft is finalized for submission to the National Marine Fisheries Service later this year.