Crab pots in the ocean?

[iwanttofish]

What can be done about pots found in the ocean. Is there a number to call with the location or what, They are very dangerous and should not be out there.

Carry a number of sharp knives in case of a hook up with one!

I got my motor caught in one last year and it almost took my boat down.

Any Ideas about what can be or should be done?

Mike

[Mark Mc]

Call the hotline for reporting derelict crab pots:


http://chinook.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/c...t_20060928.pdf

[jimsbuddy]

Excuse the stupid question, but whats wrong with putting crab pots in the ocean??? I hear of that often.

[garv76]

Originally Posted by jimsbuddy

Excuse the stupid question, but whats wrong with putting crab pots in the ocean??? I hear of that often.

That is where the crabs or at...p

[SeaFever]

:shocked: True, but they're dangerous in the channels in and out of port.......

[PIR8 Hook]

All I can say is you ain't seen crab pots until you've seen them South of Orcas Island in the San Juans. I guess that they never heard of a "line of pots"....more like a "mass cluster".

I think that ocean crabbing lasts until the 14th and they have at least two weeks to pull them off the ocean after that they are "derelict".

[USCGBoating]

Originally Posted by iwanttofish

What can be done about pots found in the ocean. Is there a number to call with the location or what, They are very dangerous and should not be out there.

Carry a number of sharp knives in case of a hook up with one!

I got my motor caught in one last year and it almost took my boat down.

Any Ideas about what can be or should be done?

Mike

If the crab pots are inside the navigable channel contact the Coast Guard or the number above and report them. If they are outside of the navigable channel they have every right to have them there.

Dan

[Double Trouble]

Dan, there have been traps between the Bell and the Whistle all year. The CG crew goes out there on a regular basis

[Boatdog]

Sport: Ocean is closed for Dungeness crab Aug. 15-Nov. 30

Commercial:
Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

635-005-0045
Closed Season in Pacific Ocean and Columbia River

(1) In addition to any closures described in Section 3, it is unlawful to take, land or possess Dungeness crab for commercial purposes from the Pacific Ocean or Columbia River from August 15 through November 30.


635-005-0055
Fishing Gear
It is unlawful for commercial purposes to:
...
(5) Place, operate, or leave crab rings or pots in the Pacific Ocean and Columbia River or in any bay or estuary during the closed season, except that in only the Pacific Ocean and Columbia River, rings or pots may be placed no more than 64 hours immediately prior to the date the Dungeness crab season opens. In addition, unbaited crab rings or pots with open release mechanisms may be left in the Pacific Ocean (not including the Columbia River) for a period not to exceed 14 days following the closure of the Dungeness crab season.

[USCGBoating]

Originally Posted by Double Trouble

Dan, there have been traps between the Bell and the Whistle all year. The CG crew goes out there on a regular basis

The whistle buoys only navigational significance is that it markes the entrance and is not the main channel. I personnaly would not put them there because a deep draft will scoop them up.the main channel starts at #2. The commercial guys should have them out and any derilicts should be reported. As boat dog has posted. Anything you find now you should report.


Dan

[retaliate]

There are plenty of lost Traps out there, too many really, It would require a Big Boat, with A strong Winch to remove some of these Traps, I have seen Traps Burried in the Sand while Scuba Diving...so maybe a Dive team would also be needed, at least cut the rope short enough so nobody get's their Prop/Outdrive tangled in them.

[iwanttofish]

Originally Posted by USCGBoating

If the crab pots are inside the navigable channel contact the Coast Guard or the number above and report them. If they are outside of the navigable channel they have every right to have them there.

Dan

They have every right to be there when it is closed? Hows that

[Orca]

"They have every right to be there when it is closed? Hows that"


Dan was answering the question: "Dan, there have been traps between the Bell and the Whistle all year."

Since the 15th, his answer is: "The commercial guys should have them out and any derilicts should be reported. As boat dog has posted. Anything you find now you should report."

[Smoked Salmon]

The number one rule is to keep a sharp eye out for buoys. There are always things in the water, whether they be logs, kelp paddies, or buoys. It is pretty important to maintain control and awareness while under way and especially while fishing. We are guests on the ocean, there are no property lines, so keep a sharp watch. It would be awful to hear that someone was too focused on reeling in a big chinook to notice that they were drifting into a channel marker or other obstacle.

I know that even out tuna fishing, where there are far fewer obstacles, someone is always scanning the horizon for proactive course correction.

-Bill

[fyshndad]

Originally Posted by iwanttofish

What can be done about pots found in the ocean. Is there a number to call with the location or what, They are very dangerous and should not be out there.

Carry a number of sharp knives in case of a hook up with one!

I got my motor caught in one last year and it almost took my boat down.

Any Ideas about what can be or should be done?

Mike

I did ask that qustion in the ask the coast guard thread pinned to the top of this page
Question about crab pots causing navigation hazard

Why are crabbers (commercial) allowed to place thier pots so close to navigation buoys?

The last few weeks there has been about 4 pots sitting very close to the outside buoy at Depoe bay and several more sitting due west of the hole out to 220 foot depth

some are covered with a lot of moss and are very hard to see

Shouldn't the entrance channel be clear of nav hazrds??

what can be done to eliminate people from setting pots that close to buoys and in normal nav routes to and from port??

Thanks for responding


And the reply: As long as the pots are not in the channel they can set them any place they wish. Those buoys west of the channel are more than likly outside of the whistel buoy and crabbers can place pots in those areas. If they are in the channel contact the local Coast Guard Station and report the hazard.

Dan

aand my response to the reply:
Thanks Dan
I guess it is time to contact ODFW and see what it will take to change the rules

I feel it is extremely dangerous to boaters approaching a buoy to get in
to find crab pots that close to the entrance especially if conditions make it difficult to see the floats

I think there should be at minmum a 1/2 mile comfort zone around the channel but would like to see a 1 mile limit for safety

How many CG boats have been sent out to help someone that got into a crab pot rope? A few at least I would guess
It would likely save the CG some missions and us taxpayers a few bucks if this was not an issue


No further response was recieved

[Willis]

the pots in newport thursday were a problem had to run them like a skier to get out CG was out several times across the bar and never saw the boat asked to move them they were still working them on the west side of the bridge damn near smack in the middle of the channel when i left at 5 or so small 14 ft boat on the outgoing ug also had a the crew of a charter fishing right near the bar wave me off like i was to close I was at least 50 yrds from them when crossing the bar you dont allways have more room to give with boats comming and going anyone had this happen before and who would have the right of way I liken it to playing in the freeway and asking everyone to change lanes around you ? I could be wrong

[jimsbuddy]

Originally Posted by Willis

the pots in newport thursday were a problem had to run them like a skier to get out CG was out several times across the bar and never saw the boat asked to move them they were still working them on the west side of the bridge damn near smack in the middle of the channel when i left at 5 or so small 14 ft boat on the outgoing ug also had a the crew of a charter fishing right near the bar wave me off like i was to close I was at least 50 yrds from them when crossing the bar you dont allways have more room to give with boats comming and going anyone had this happen before and who would have the right of way I liken it to playing in the freeway and asking everyone to change lanes around you ? I could be wrong

WOW what a mouth full, have you heard of punctuation???

[Woody]

What you talkin' bout Willis?

[garv76]

Originally Posted by Woody

What you talkin' bout Willis?

lol

[rkh]

Originally Posted by USCGBoating

If the crab pots are inside the navigable channel contact the Coast Guard or the number above and report them. If they are outside of the navigable channel they have every right to have them there.

Dan

What is the definition of the navigable channel, especially as it relates to the Willapa Bar?

[jimsbuddy]

Originally Posted by rkh

What is the definition of the navigable channel, especially as it relates to the Willapa Bar?

That of which deep hull boats/ships can only travel...

[Orca]

Originally Posted by rkh

What is the definition of the navigable channel, especially as it relates to the Willapa Bar?

Will be shown on the chart of the bar.

[Willis]

Sorry I dont meet your punctuation standards.

[USCGBoating]

Originally Posted by Willis

the pots in newport thursday were a problem had to run them like a skier to get out CG was out several times across the bar and never saw the boat asked to move them they were still working them on the west side of the bridge damn near smack in the middle of the channel when i left at 5 or so small 14 ft boat on the outgoing ug also had a the crew of a charter fishing right near the bar wave me off like i was to close I was at least 50 yrds from them when crossing the bar you dont allways have more room to give with boats comming and going anyone had this happen before and who would have the right of way I liken it to playing in the freeway and asking everyone to change lanes around you ? I could be wrong

Willis,

I will try to weed through your responce and hopefully answer your questions.

If the the CG boat did not see them as a hazard then they would not do anything. If they are sport pots they normally pull them and take them over to their docks were you can claim them and recieve soem trainingon where to place your pots!


If the charter vessel waved you off they considered you in a situation that placed them and you in danger. It also sounds to me that you may not have a full understanding of the navigation rules, I could be wrong. Have you attended a boater education class? If you have not this may be a great whay for you to gain a bit more understanding of the conduct of vessels when they are navigating a channel or are in close quarters.

Dan

[Willis]

I have taken the class and understand the rules. I have no problem with them fishing where they were just thought it was a strange place to do it the bar was not busy at all and there was plenty of room, I dint get mad I just kida shook my head and went on my way I respect them and know they are making a living no big deal just had not seen them fishing there before. as far as the crab pots go I allways place mine far off the sides of the channels if crabbing inside the bay I guess others have different ideas of safe or in the way and I will leave it up to you guys to figure that out. Thank you for all you do I have never felt safer in newport than this year allways see you guys out training or just being there good to know you guys are allways ready.