California Approves Innovative Whale-Safe Pop-Up Gear for Spring Dungeness Crab Fishery
Oregon Fishery Managers Accelerate Plan to Reduce Whale Entanglements in State Dungeness Crab Fishery
December, 2025
California Approves Pop-Up Gear to Reduce Whale Entanglements
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife approved ropeless pop-up gear as a whale-safe alternative that can be used in place of conventional gear if the California Dungeness crab fishery is closed to protect whales from April 1 to July 15. This victory follows years of campaigning and at-sea gear testing by Oceana and its allies to protect humpback whales from becoming entangled in the vertical lines used in conventional gear to catch these crabs. Previous trials of pop-up gear have proven to safeguard whales while still allowing for a profitable crab fishery.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife approved ropeless pop-up gear as a whale-safe alternative that can be used in place of conventional gear if the California Dungeness crab fishery is closed to protect whales from April 1 to July 15. This victory follows years of campaigning and at-sea gear testing by Oceana and its allies to protect humpback whales from becoming entangled in the vertical lines used in conventional gear to catch these crabs. Previous trials of pop-up gear have proven to safeguard whales while still allowing for a profitable crab fishery.
California Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Delayed Statewide Until the New Year
October, 2025
California Protects Ocean Biodiversity and Reduces Animal Entanglements
A new law in the U.S. state of California protects ocean biodiversity by phasing out the use of set gillnets — mile-long fishing nets anchored to the seafloor intended to catch halibut and white sea bass. Removing this fishing gear from the water will protect more than 100 different ocean animals, including sea lions and sharks, from being unintentionally entangled in these nearly invisible nets. Oceana championed this law, which allows existing permit holders to continue fishing through their retirement and gradually phases out the set gillnet fishery. Oceana has also advocated for hook and line fishing methods as an alternative to set gillnets, which have significantly less unintended catch and typically yield higher-quality catches that fetch higher prices.
A new law in the U.S. state of California protects ocean biodiversity by phasing out the use of set gillnets — mile-long fishing nets anchored to the seafloor intended to catch halibut and white sea bass. Removing this fishing gear from the water will protect more than 100 different ocean animals, including sea lions and sharks, from being unintentionally entangled in these nearly invisible nets. Oceana championed this law, which allows existing permit holders to continue fishing through their retirement and gradually phases out the set gillnet fishery. Oceana has also advocated for hook and line fishing methods as an alternative to set gillnets, which have significantly less unintended catch and typically yield higher-quality catches that fetch higher prices.
August, 2025
New Rules in California’s Recreational Crab Fishery Will Help Prevent Animal Entanglements
California adopted new rules to cut whale and sea turtle entanglements in the recreational Dungeness crab fishery. The new rules, adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission after campaigning by Oceana and our allies, are consistent with those for the commercial fishery, requiring closure in response to entanglements and unique line markings to easily identify the source in the event of entanglement. Entanglement in fishing gear is a top threat to endangered animals off the West Coast, including humpback whales and leatherback sea turtles.
California adopted new rules to cut whale and sea turtle entanglements in the recreational Dungeness crab fishery. The new rules, adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission after campaigning by Oceana and our allies, are consistent with those for the commercial fishery, requiring closure in response to entanglements and unique line markings to easily identify the source in the event of entanglement. Entanglement in fishing gear is a top threat to endangered animals off the West Coast, including humpback whales and leatherback sea turtles.
August, 2025
Oregon Adopts New Plan to Recover Critically Endangered Orcas
A new plan in Oregon will aid critically endangered Southern Resident Orcas, of which only 73 remain in the North Pacific Ocean. The management plan, adopted by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, addresses the greatest threats to the whales’ recovery, including lack of prey (Chinook salmon), vessel noise and disturbance, and pollution. Actions will include boosting Chinook salmon by restoring habitat and removing physical barriers for migrating fish, as well as protecting ocean waters from future activities, like dredging or construction, that could harm the orcas as they feed off the Oregon coast. Oceana advocated for this new plan, including a requirement to review the plan at least once every 5 years to assess effectiveness.
A new plan in Oregon will aid critically endangered Southern Resident Orcas, of which only 73 remain in the North Pacific Ocean. The management plan, adopted by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, addresses the greatest threats to the whales’ recovery, including lack of prey (Chinook salmon), vessel noise and disturbance, and pollution. Actions will include boosting Chinook salmon by restoring habitat and removing physical barriers for migrating fish, as well as protecting ocean waters from future activities, like dredging or construction, that could harm the orcas as they feed off the Oregon coast. Oceana advocated for this new plan, including a requirement to review the plan at least once every 5 years to assess effectiveness.
