Commission Temporarily Suspends Crab Pot Permit Transfer Waiting Period

Transferring crab permits among vessels is the primary method of acquiring a different pot limit.

Photo courtesy: oregondungeness.org

(REEDSPORT) - The Fish and Wildlife Commission temporarily suspended the five-year waiting period for transfers of commercial Dungeness crab permits to help the industry adjust to new crab pot limits.

The temporary rule will be in effect from today through November 24th, enabling commercial crabbers to make adjustments to the status of their permits before the season opens December 1st.

Transferring crab permits among vessels is the primary method of acquiring a different pot limit.

The Commission adopted new pot limits for the commercial crab industry in June 2006. The first season under the new limits is scheduled to begin December 1st.

The temporary rule change enacted by the Commission today was requested by crab permit holders at both the June and August 2006 Commission meetings.

The Commission also granted a permit to Yaquina Bay Fruit Processors for rearing white sturgeon for scientific purposes, specifically for researching the potential to raise white sturgeon in salt water.

The seven-member Commission is the policy making body for fish and wildlife issues in Oregon.