The Oregon Recreational Dungeness Crab Fishery, 2007-2011, Information Reports 2012-04

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Ainsworth, Justin, Mitch Vance, Matthew V. Hunter, and Eric Schindler

Publish Date: 2012

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Cedric Cooney

Job Position: Natural Resources Data and Systems Manager

Telephone: 503-947-6094

E-Mail Address: cedric.x.cooney@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: Recreational crabbing in Oregon bays and offshore waters is one of the most popular shellfishing activities in the state. This report provides a comprehensive review of recreational boat-based crabbing effort and catch in Oregon from 2007 through 2011. Data were analyzed from three different Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) surveys: (1) the Ocean Recreational Boat Survey; (2) a bay crab fishery survey; and (3) a survey of the Lower Columbia River (LCR) fishery. These three independent assessments utilized unique methods to estimate total effort including counts of empty boat trailers, bar crossing counts, and direct counts of crab pot buoys. Catch rate estimates were generated from on-site interviews representing 104,451 recreational crabbing trips. Effort estimates and catch rate statistics were used to produce estimates of total recreational crab harvest in each of the three fisheries.

Purpose: Data was summarized by area and month over the five year period, and combined data from all three surveys were used to develop statewide harvest estimates. Recreational harvest statistics were compared to previous studies and with current commercial Dungeness crab harvest levels. Additional data analyzed include: 1) Hometown Zip Codes of recreational crabbers to determine straight-line travel distance; 2) Biological condition data such as carapace width and shell hardness; and 3) Small-scale effort patterns of crabbers within bays.

Time Period of Content: 2007-2011

Geographic Extent: Oregon

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source: This project was funded in large part by Oregon Recreational Shellfish License fees.

Data Information

No data information was supplied.

Entity and Attribute Information

Attributes Description: Field attribute information is available in the attached file(s).

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Unknown