Oregon Wildlife Officials Deny Petition Aimed at Reducing Whale Entanglements

Oregon wildlife officials deny petition aimed at reducing whale entanglements

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Commissioners for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife voted no on a petition that would've modified the rules for crab fisheries in an effort to prevent whale entanglements on Friday. After hearing testimony from more than 70 people who showed up to their regular meeting in Springfield on Feb. 20, [...]

State commission denies crab petition

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has voted 6-1 to deny a petition that requested crab fishery rules be modified to further reduce the risk of whale entanglement, while urging the department to continue its planned rulemaking process and engagement…

Petition to impose new rules on Oregon crabbing denied. What to know

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 6-1 on Feb. 20 to deny the petition to modify crabbing rules to reduce the risk of whale entanglement.

Oregon denies petition to change crabbing rules despite whale entanglements

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 6-1 to deny a petition seeking new commercial crabbing rules aimed at reducing whale entanglements. Officials said eight humpback and fin whales were caught in gear over the past two years, but the agency will continue planned 2026 rulemaking efforts.

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION DENIES CRAB PETITION

February 23, 2026 6:50 a.m.  On Friday the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 6-1 to deny a petition that requested crab fishery rules be modified to further reduce the risk of whale entanglement, while urging the department to continue its planned rulemaking process and engagement with NOAA fisheries to obtain endangered species act coverage. An Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife release said whale entanglement has increased in Orego…