North Coast (WA border to Cape Blanco)

. October 16, 2026 Harvest Specifications and Management Measures for Pacific Sardine, 2026–2027 Final Rule NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule in the Federal Register ( 91 FR 62677 , October 2, 2026) implementing annual harvest specifications and management measures for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine for the July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, fishing year. This rule prohibits most directed commercial fishing for Pacific sardine in federal waters off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Pacific sardine harvest is allowed only for use as live bait, in minor directed fisheries, as incidental catch in other fisheries, or as authorized under exempted fishing permits. This rule is intended to conserve, manage, and rebuild the Pacific sardine stock off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. 2026–2027 Harvest Specifications Overfishing Limit (OFL) 4,645 mt Annual Catch Limit (ACL) 2,200 mt Annual Catch Target (ACT) 2,100 mt Harvest Guideline (HG) 0 mt The following are additional management measures and in-season accountability measures for the 2026–2027 Pacific sardine fishing year: An incidental per-landing limit of 20 percent (by weight) of Pacific sardine applies to other CPS primary directed fisheries (e.g., Pacific mackerel); If the ACT of 2,100 mt is attained, then a per-trip limit of 1 mt of Pacific sardine applies to all CPS fisheries (#1 will no longer apply); and An incidental per-landing allowance of 2 mt of Pacific sardine applies to non-CPS fisheries until the ACL is reached. In addition to the management measures and in-season accountability measures listed above, Pacific sardine catch in the minor directed fishery for finfish remains limited to 1 mt per trip per day, and 1 trip per day by any vessel. More Information Coastal Pelagic Species Management on the U.S. West Coast West Coast Coastal Pelagic Species: Commercial Fishing Questions? Contact Katie Davis (NOAA Fisheries) at katie.davis@noaa.gov or Katrina Bernaus (Pacific Fishery Management Council) at katrina.bernaus@pcouncil.org. Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

Family clamming at Tillamook Bay. Photo by Leigh Darrah Crabbing and Clamming October 15, 2026 Announcements Always check for closures at the ODA Shellfish Safety page before harvesting shellfish, which includes clams, crabs and mussels. Reminder Ocean waters are closed for crabbing Oct 16 – Nov 30. Bays, beaches, estuaries, tide pools, piers and jetties are open for crabbing all year unless closed for toxins. Check ODA Shellfish Safety page before harvesting. Advisory ODFW has issued a bay clam harvest advisory for Alsea Bay estuary. Read the news release for more information. Prohibited line markings in effect Recreational crabbers are not required to mark their line but are prohibited from using certain line markings that are required in other fisheries. To read more about why and what is prohibited, visit our Marine Life Entanglement page . Bay clams Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or visit the ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting, for the most current information about shellfish safety closures. During fall and winter, negative low tides suitable for clamming occur in the evenings. Clammers should be mindful of safety while clamming in the dark. Safety measures include not clamming in unfamiliar areas, bringing a reliable light source and avoiding clamming alone. Check out the Where to Clam articles for places to find bay clams. You can also get more clamming maps here . Beaver State Podcast: Bay clamming with Mitch Vance Learn about different clams and some of the challenges to be ready for when you clam. Mussels Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check the ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information about shellfish safety closures. Mussels, like clams, are filter feeders and those who like eating clams are likely to find mussels just as delicious. Mussels attach to rocks and other permanent habitats in the intertidal zone, so it is best to go looking for them during a low tide. When harvesting, wear gloves and use a twisting motion to pull mussels off rocks. Be careful when harvesting by the ocean and watch for sneaker waves. Each harvester will need a shellfish license and their own bucket. Learn more here . Razor clams Currently the entire Oregon coast is closed from the Washington border to the California border. See ODA (above) for more information. Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check the ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information about shellfish safety closures. Crabs Reminder: Ocean waters are closed for crabbing Oct 16 – Nov 30. Bays, beaches, estuaries, tide pools, piers and jetties are open for crabbing all year unless closed for toxins or the areas is closed by permanent rule. Check ODA Shellfish Safety page before harvesting. Port by port reports: All ports are seeing some soft, recently molted, male crab that should be filling with meat and hardening their shells as we enter fall. With the changing weather, lots of rain will cause a surge of fresh water from the rivers, forcing crabs to retreat to the saltier water of the ocean, meaning bay crabbing may not be as successful at times. Tillamook: Crabbing has been slow from a boat and slow from the dock. Netarts: Crabbing has been fair from a boat and fair from the dock. Newport: Crabbing has been fair from a boat and good for red rock crab from the dock. Waldport: Crabbing has been fair from a boat and fair from the dock. Charleston : Crabbing has been slow from a boat and fair from the dock. Shore and dock crabbing can be a great year-round activity. A good tool to try is the "castable folding crab trap." Usually attached to a fishing pole, these traps are great for kids because they are lightweight and can catch crab within minutes. No heavy pulling or long wait times! They are available for purchase at most local stores. Happy crabbing! Some crabbers in estuaries may also encounter non-native European green crab in their catch. While they look similar to Oregon's native shore crabs, identify them by the three prominent bumps between the eyes and five spines down each side of their body (carapace). Color is not a good identifying feature as they are not always green. The daily catch limit for European green crab is 35 per person per day. European green crab can be any size or sex. Learn more about this species . Want to know more about the invasive green crab and how you can help? Check out Invasive European green crabs threaten Northwest shellfish industries produced by the Oregon Field Guide on PBS. <div class="field

. October 9, 2026 Final Gear Marking and Entanglement Risk Reduction Measures in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Single-line allowance effective October 13, 2026. Gear marking provisions and surface line length limitation e ffective January 11, 2027. Illustration of pot gear deployed using the single-line allowance (upper) effective October 13, 2026 and illustration of bottom longline gear deployed continuing to mark both ends at the surface (lower). Single-line allowance applies to both gear types and is a voluntary measure, effective October 13, 2026. Credit: Tom Crestodina/Oregon Sea Grant NOAA Fisheries implements (as filed, October 9, 2026) entanglement risk reduction measures and gear marking requirements that apply to vessels using pot or bottom longline gear in the commercial, non-Tribal, Pacific Coast groundfish fishery (including all commercial groundfish sectors). These measures were recommended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council at its June, 2024 meeting and published in a proposed rule on February 6, 2026 (91 FR 5408). Effective October 13, 2026 , groundfish pot and bottom longline gear is no longer required to be marked on the surface at both terminal ends . Operators may choose to deploy, at their discretion, vertical line and surface gear at one terminal end of a set. Effective January 11, 2027, Gear-specific color schemes required for the top 120 linear feet (20 fathoms) of lines ; orange/blue for pot and brown/blue for bottom longline. Lines for these gears in the water on or after 0000 hours January 11, 2027, must be in compliance with these new rules. Temporary marking of lines (see Compliance Guide for specifics and examples) is allowed through January 11, 2030. Effective January 11, 2027, Gear-specific buoy marking (tags or marks directly on buoys) required for all buoys (see Compliance Guide for specifics). Buoys for these gears that are in the water on or after 0000 hours January 11, 2027, must be in compliance with these new rules. Effective January 11, 2027, Length of each surface line (the line that connects any and all buoys in the surface gear) cannot exceed 60 linear feet (10 fm) . Surface lines marking commercial groundfish pot or bottom longline gear in the water after 0000 hours January 11, 2027, may not exceed 60 feet in length. All materials, including a Compliance Guide, will be available at NMFS West Coast Region website on our Gear Marking and Entanglement Risk Reduction page by close of business on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Additionally, some supporting materials are available on Regulations.gov . Search for “NOAA-NMFS-2024-0045”. Gear marking requirements are implemented consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act collection # 0648-0352. Questions? For more information contact Gretchen Hanshew, gretchen.hanshew@noaa.gov , 206-526-6147. Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

The sport harvest of mussels is OPEN from the Washington border to the California border.

The sport harvest of razor clams is CLOSED from the Washington border to the California border for high levels of the marine biotoxin domoic acid. See the link below for biotoxin results data for mussels and clams. Re-opening beaches for sport harvest after a biotoxin closure requires two samples in a row with toxin results below the closure limit. These samples must be at least one week apart.

. September 22, 2026 Proposed Rule for 2027 - 28 Pacific Coast Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures Comment period closes on October 22, 2026. A school of widow rockfish in Soquel Canyon, Monterey Bay. Credit: Diana Watters, NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule for the 2027 - 28 Pacific Coast Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures and Amendment 38 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which published today in the Federal Register ( 91 FR 60238 ). The public comment period on the proposed rule is open through October 22, 2026. What is included in this proposed rule? This rule proposes: 2027-28 harvest specifications for groundfish caught in the U.S. exclusive economic zone seaward of Washington, Oregon, and California; and Management measures intended to keep the total annual catch of each groundfish stock or stock complex within the annual catch limits. These proposed measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure management measures are based on the best scientific information available. This rule also includes proposed regulations to implement Amendment 38 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP. A Notice of Availability ( 91 FR 45764 ) containing the proposed changes to the FMP published in the Federal Register on July 19, 2026; the comment period for Amendment 38 ended on September 19, 2026. If approved, Amendment 38 would remove yelloweye rockfish and California quillback rockfish from their respective rebuilding plans. Please visit our website for more information. Questions? Contact Lynn Massey, Fishery Management Specialist, email: lynn.massey@noaa.gov or phone: (562) 900-2060. Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

. September 17, 2026 Inseason Action #31 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Oregon Recreational) NOAA Fisheries took inseason action in the recreational salmon fisheries south of Cape Falcon. Inseason Action #31 Effective Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 12:01 a.m. through September 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m., for the recreational fishery from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, retention of coho salmon is allowed, with a daily bag limit of two salmon (no fin clip requirement). Beginning Monday, September 21, 2026, the season remains open through September 25, 2026, all salmon, except coho salmon, with a daily bag limit of two salmon. Effective Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 12:01 a.m. through September 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., for the recreational fishery from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, retention of coho salmon is allowed, with a daily bag limit of two salmon (no fin clip requirement). Beginning Sunday, September 27, 2026, the season remains open through October 31, 2026, all salmon, except coho salmon, with a daily bag limit of two salmon The minimum size for kept Chinook salmon is 24 inches in total length. Please refer to the Final Rule for the West Coast Salmon Fisheries 2026-2027 Specifications and Management Measures for additional regulations and supporting materials. For more information, contact Shannon Penna , Anadromous Harvest Management, at (562) 980-4239.

. September 10, 2026 Inseason Action #30 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Oregon Recreational) NOAA Fisheries took inseason action in the recreational salmon fisheries south of Cape Falcon. Inseason Action #30 Effective Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., the ocean recreational fishery from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain is closed to the retention of coho salmon. The season remains open for Chinook salmon (24” minimum length) with a daily bag limit of two salmon. Please refer to the Final Rule for the West Coast Salmon Fisheries 2026-2027 Specifications and Management Measures for additional regulations and supporting materials. For more information, contact Shannon Penna , Anadromous Harvest Management, at (562) 980-4239.

. September 9, 2026 Inseason Action #29 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Oregon Commercial) On September 8, 2026, NOAA Fisheries took inseason action in the commercial salmon fisheries south of Cape Falcon. Inseason Action #29 Effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, September 10, 2026, the landing limit in the ocean commercial troll salmon fishery in the area from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain is reduced to 50 coho per vessel per week (Thursday through Wednesday). Please refer to the Final Rule for the West Coast Salmon Fisheries 2026-2027 Specifications and Management Measures for additional regulations and supporting materials. For more information, contact Shannon Penna , Anadromous Harvest Management, at (562) 980-4239.

. September 3, 2026 Inseason Action #28 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Oregon Recreational) NOAA Fisheries has taken inseason action in the recreational salmon fisheries south of Cape Falcon. Inseason Action #28 Effective Friday September 4, 2026, reduce the coho quota for the Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain ocean recreational non-mark selective coho fishery by 1,800 from 27,500 to 25,700. The quota is being adjusted on an impact neutral basis to account for an overage accrued during the prior South of Falcon ocean recreational mark-selective coho fishery. Please refer to the Final Rule for the West Coast Salmon Fisheries 2026-2027 Specifications and Management Measures for additional regulations and supporting materials. For more information, contact Shannon Penna , Anadromous Harvest Management, at (562) 980-4239.

. September 3, 2026 Inseason Action #28 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Oregon Recreational) NOAA Fisheries has taken inseason action in the recreational salmon fisheries south of Cape Falcon. Inseason Action #28 Effective at 12:01 a.m., Friday September 4, 2026, reduce the coho quota for the Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain ocean recreational non-mark selective coho fishery by 1,800 from 27,500 to 25,700. The quota is being adjusted on an impact neutral basis to account for an overage accrued during the prior South of Falcon ocean recreational mark-selective coho fishery. Please refer to the Final Rule for the West Coast Salmon Fisheries 2026-2027 Specifications and Management Measures for additional regulations and supporting materials. For more information, contact Shannon Penna , Anadromous Harvest Management, at (562) 980-4239.

The sport harvest of bay clams is OPEN along the entire Oregon Coast from the Washington border to the California border.

Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Resources Program 2040 SE Marine Science Drive Newport, OR 97365 (541) 867-4741 FAX (541) 867-0311 www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/ December 19, 2025 Oregon Ocean Commercial Dungeness Crab Permit Holders and Interested Persons, In consultation with the crab industry, Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and California and Washington fishery managers, based on meat recovery and domoic acid results from preseason testing, ODFW is opening a portion of the Oregon ocean commercial Dungeness crab season as follows: Cape Falcon (45° 46’ 00” N. Lat.) to Oregon/Washington border (46° 15’ 00” N. Lat.) 73 hr presoak begins (setting gear): December 28, 8:00 a.m. Hold Inspections: December 30, see schedule on back Start date (pulling gear): December 31, 9:00 a.m. Fair start provision reminders: Fair start provisions will be in place for any delayed areas in the Tri-State area (from Klipsan Beach, WA south to Point Arena, CA). Any vessel that started fishing in the area from the OR/CA border to Cape Falcon, OR prior to December 31, 9:00 am will not be allowed to fish in the area from Cape Falcon to Klipsan Beach (46° 28’ 00”) until 9:00 am on January 30, 2026. Fishing includes setting gear. For details on fair start provisions north of Klipsan Beach, see the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Industry Notice. Vessel Hold Inspections reminders: Vessels must obtain a hold inspection prior to participating in the fishery for the first 30 days after opening. The vessel operator or owner must declare on the pre-season hold inspection certificate the zone in which the vessel will start fishing. Each inspection certificate must be signed by the vessel operator or owner, not by a crewman. Closed area transit reminders: Vessels with an activated Vessel Monitoring System or Electronic Monitoring system and registered with ODFW may possess and land Dungeness crab in an area that is otherwise closed to take of Dungeness crab for commercial purposes under certain conditions. Review the full requirements and register for closed area transit in Oregon here. We would like to thank everyone involved with preseason meat recovery and domoic acid testing efforts this year to help us ensure that Oregon Dungeness crab are of excellent quality and ready for harvest. Please contact us if you have any questions. Troy Buell Justin Ainsworth State Fishery Manager Marine Resources Program Manager 541-961-8135 541-609-1134 OregonTina Kotek, Governor 2025-26 Commercial Dungeness Crab Cape Falcon (45º 46' 00" N. Lat.) to OR/CA border Season Opening Schedule 73 hr presoak begins (setting gear): December 28, 8:00 a.m. Hold Inspections: December 30, see schedule below Start date (pulling gear): December 31, 9:00 a.m. Hold Inspection Schedule After hours or for other locations: call (800)-452-7888 or *OSP from a cellphone After-hours appointments may be limited and could be delayed based on availability. LOCATION TIME Columbia River Deep Sea Basin Warrenton Boat Basin Astoria West End/Pier 2 12 - 4 PM

Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Resources Program 2040 SE Marine Science Drive Newport, OR 97365 (541) 867-4741 FAX (541) 867-0311 www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/ December 5, 2025 In consultation with the crab industry, Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and California and Washington fishery managers, based on meat recovery and domoic acid results from preseason testing, ODFW is opening the Oregon ocean commercial Dungeness crab season as follows: Cape Falcon (45° 46’ 00” N. Lat.) southward to Oregon/California border (42° 00’ 00” N. Lat.) 73 hr presoak begins (setting gear): December 13, 8:00 a.m. Hold Inspections: December 15, see schedule on back Start date (pulling gear): December 16, 9:00 a.m. The commercial Dungeness crab fishery will remain closed in the Pacific Ocean and Columbia River from Cape Falcon northward to the Oregon/Washington border. The continued delay in this area will allow completion of additional testing for meat recovery in the Long Beach, WA area that did not meet recovery criteria. Fair start provision reminders: Fair start provisions will be in place for any delayed areas in the Tri-State area (from Klipsan Beach, WA south to Point Arena, CA). A vessel used for fishing crab in any open zone within these areas may not be used for fishing crab in any other zone within the Tri- State area that opens at a later date until 30 days after the later opening date. Vessel Hold Inspections reminders: Vessels must obtain a hold inspection prior to participating in the fishery for the first 30 days after opening. The vessel operator or owner must declare on the pre-season hold inspection certificate the zone in which the vessel will start fishing. Each inspection certificate must be signed by the vessel operator or owner, not by a crewman. Closed area transit reminders: Vessels with an activated Vessel Monitoring System or Electronic Monitoring system and registered with ODFW may possess and land Dungeness crab in an area that is otherwise closed to take of Dungeness crab for commercial purposes under certain conditions. Review the full requirements and register for closed area transit here. We would like to thank everyone involved with preseason meat recovery and domoic acid testing efforts this year to help us ensure that Oregon Dungeness crab are of excellent quality and ready for harvest. Please contact us if you have any questions. Troy Buell Justin Ainsworth State Fishery Manager Marine Resources Program Manager 541-961-8135 541-609-1134 OregonTina Kotek, Governor Page 2 of 2 2025-26 Commercial Dungeness Crab Cape Falcon (45º 46' 00" N. Lat.) to OR/CA border Season Opening Schedule 73 hr presoak begins (setting gear): December 13, 8:00AM Hold Inspections: December 15, see schedule below Start date (pulling gear): December 16, 9:00AM Hold Inspection Schedule After hours or for other locations: (800) 452-7888 or *OSP from a cellphone After-hours appointments may be limited and could be delayed based on availability. LOCATION TIME Columbia River Deep Sea Basin Hammond Boat Basin Warrenton Boat Basin Astoria West End/Pier 2 12-1 PM Garibaldi Boat Basin 12-2 PM Pacific City By appointment Depoe Bay By appointment Newport South Beach Marina Seafood Proc. Docks- Bay Blvd. Port Dock 3, 5 & 7 12-4 PM Florence By appointment Winchester Bay Boat Basin 12-1 PM Charleston Small Boat Basin Charleston Boat Basin Hallmark Fisheries 12-4 PM Bandon By appointment Port Orford 12-2:30 PM Brookings Boat Basin Port Docks 12-4 PM

Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Resources Program 2040 SE Marine Science Drive Newport, OR 97365 (541) 867-4741 FAX (541) 867-0311 www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/ November 21, 2025 Oregon Ocean Commercial Dungeness Crab Permit Holders and Interested Persons, In partnership with the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission (ODCC), Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the commercial crabbing industry, the first round of Oregon preseason Dungeness crab quality and domoic acid testing was conducted coastwide during November 8-9 and results are posted here. The minimum meat recovery rates to be met in each test area are 23% north of Cascade Head and 24% south of Cascade Head (no rounding allowed in any area). In round 1, all Oregon meat recovery areas met meat recovery criteria, but the area off Long Beach, Washington, did not. Domoic acid results from crab collected in all 12 crab harvest areas are posted on ODA’s website here. There are no elevated crab viscera results at this time. Based on these results and consultations with industry advisors, ODA, and Washington and California Departments of Fish and Wildlife, there was Tri-State agreement to delay the ocean commercial Dungeness crab season in Oregon until at least December 16. This delay will allow completion of additional meat recovery testing off Washington and avoid disrupting traditional fishing patterns. If Long Beach meets criteria on the next round of testing, the Oregon fishery will open December 16. If not, we will reinitiate consultations to decide on a season opening structure, with announcement targeted for December 7. We thank everyone involved with testing this preseason and appreciate upcoming testing efforts to help us ensure that Oregon Dungeness crab are of excellent quality and safe to consume. Please contact us if you have any questions. Troy Buell Justin Ainsworth State Fishery Manager Marine Resources Program Manager 541-961-8135 541-609-1134 OregonTina Kotek, Governor

2025 Preseason Coastal Dungeness crab Test Fishery Results for WA, OR, and CA Test Area Name % Meat Recovery Required ** Number of pots Date* Meat Recovery % Date* Meat Recovery % Date* Meat Recovery % Date* Meat Recovery % Date* Meat Recovery % Northern 23% n/a NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Westport 23% 54 10/16/25 20.9% 11/11/25 25.0% NT NT NT NT NT NT Long Beach 23% 54 NT NT 11/3/25 21.9% 12/1/25 22.4% 12/13/25 28.1%^ NT NT Astoria (50-A) 23% 36 NT NT 11/9/25 26.4% NT NT NT NT NT NT Garibaldi (50-B) 23% 18 NT NT 11/9/25 27.1% NT NT NT NT NT NT Pacific City (50-C) 23% 18 NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Newport North (50-D) 24% 18 NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Newport South (50-E and 50-F) 24% 36 NT NT 11/9/25 27.7% NT NT NT NT NT NT Coos Bay North (50-G and 50-H) 24% 36 NT NT 11/9/25 27.4% NT NT NT NT NT NT Coos Bay South (50-I and 50-J) 24% 36 NT NT 11/9/25 27.4% NT NT NT NT NT NT Port Orford (50-K) 24% 18 NT NT 11/9/25 28.7% NT NT NT NT NT NT Brookings (50-L) 24% 18 NT NT 11/9/25 27.5% NT NT NT NT NT NT Crescent City 24% 36 NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Trinidad 24% 36 NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Eureka 24% 36 NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Bodega Bay n/a NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT San Francisco n/a NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT NT † Oregon areas 50-C and 50-D unintentionally combined onboard vessel ^ Crabs collected from less than total pots set in Seaview (17/18) test station. Crab retained in vessel hold overnight before offload. ` *Date pots were pulled. **Meat recovery criteria per Tri-State protocol. Percentage meat recovery may not be rounded to meet minimum threshold listed. Test Area Information Round 4Round 3 District 10 (not bound by Tri-State) Washington Optional Early Round Round 1 Round 2 Oregon California 11/9/25 27.5%†

1 PACIFIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION 205 SE Spokane, Portland, Oregon 97202 PHONE (503) 595-3100 FAX (503) 595-3232 Revised Pre-Season Testing Protocol for the Tri-State Coastal Dungeness Crab Commercial Fishery July 2024 I. Purpose In accordance with the Tri-State Dungeness Crab Memorandum of Understanding (see Appendix A), the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Oregon Department of Fish Wildlife (ODFW) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will conduct a coast wide test fishery in the area from Point Arena, California to the United States-Canadian border. Meat recovery results from the test fishery will be used as a basis for recommendations to the department directors (or their designees) in each state regarding the commercial Dungeness crab season opening date(s). The intent is to employ a standardized and consistent protocol for coordinating the season opening date based upon coast-wide crab quality. Department directors (or their designees) will consider the test fishing data to coordinate an organized season opening structure in the event that season delays due to poor quality crab are necessary. II. Test Fishery Procedures a. Each state agency will determine the number and location of test areas necessary to collect data that is sufficient to be representative of the primary range of the fishery. Detailed information on test areas and station locations are provided by each state to the other Tri-State Dungeness Crab Committee member states and the Pacific State Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) in the appendices to this document. If changes are required to the information provided in the appendices, notification will be provided to the other member states a minimum of two weeks prior to conducting the test fishery. Each test area is made up of 1-3 test station(s) centered on major crabbing ports in each state. Each test station is made up of three strings of six pots at three pre-determined depths. The test areas, stations and target depths are listed in each state’s appendix to this document. California statute requires testing to be conducted and funded by an entity authorized by the CDFW. (California Fish and Game Code [FGC] section 8276.2) b. Vessels and processors involved in the testing program will be selected based on consultation between State agency personnel and industry representatives. Persons 2 on board testing vessels will be limited to captain, crew, and state or other authorized observers. c. A string of pots will be deployed at each station at depths of 15, 30, and 45 fathoms. If those depths are not practicable, deviations should be noted and explained in the station location appendix. d. Six standard commercial Dungeness crab pots will be used at each station. Pots will generally be soaked for 24 hours unless weather conditions require a shorter or longer soak time. The soak time for each station will be noted on the publicly posted results provided to the other states and PSMFC. All legal-sized male crabs from each pot string, regardless of shell condition, will be collected for meat recovery. Crab will be kept in water until they are drained in preparation for weighing. Catch (number of crab) per pot will not be recorded. Crab collected from a single test area (all stations) will be combined and processed as a group to generate a single meat recovery percentage for each test area. Each test area will be assessed individually to meet the minimum meat recovery criteria as specified in sections III and IV and not averaged together. If the boat weight (as defined in section III. c.) of all of the crab from a single test area is less than 300 pounds that sample will be resampled as soon as possible. If the boat weight of the sample appears to be to be less than 300 pounds, at the discretion of the vessel operator, pots may be reset immediately and the crab from a second pull of all of the pots in the area can be combined with the first for a single sample of crabs for the test area. e. Crabs from each test station may be collected as part of each state’s domoic acid test, if such test will be conducted. f. Test-fishing and domoic acid test results will be provided to each state and the PSMFC as soon as possible. III. Meat Recovery Testing Procedures a. All crab collected for meat recovery testing will be included regardless of condition. b. Crab will be weighed 30 minutes from offload of the vessel and this number will be reported as boat weight. The boat weight will be used to calculate meat recovery for test results. For every test area, the amount of time between offload and weighing will be recorded and an explanation provided if crab were drained longer than 30 minutes. c. If crabs are transported to a processing facility, they will be transported in a closed container or vehicle. 3 d. Crab used in the meat recovery test will be backed and cooked (not steamed) in fresh water for 12 minutes. e. Crab will be chilled in cold water then held in cold storage for a minimum of 2 hours prior to picking. Picking will be completed within approximately 24 hours. f. If crabs are cooked and stored for more than 2 hours before picking, they will be stored in wire cages covered in a tote liner (giant plastic bag) and covered in ice to maintain consistent moisture levels. This process will allow the test crab to chill, drain instead of absorbing water, and avoid drying out from sitting in refrigerated air uncovered. g. If live crabs are held overnight in recirculating seawater prior to processing this will be noted on the publicly posted test results provided to the other states and PSMFC. h. The pick-out process for each test will be observed by state agency staff or other persons approved by the states. i. Crab meat will be picked out, including tips. Crab meat will be brined in a 90% solution, cleaned, rinsed, drained, pressed, drip tested and weighed to obtain packed weight. j. Packed weight is divided by boat weight to calc…