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Electronic Monitoring
Starting February 1, 2027, all vessels participating in Oregon’s ocean commercial crab fishery are required to have a
functioning electronic monitoring (EM) system that automatically records vessel location once per minute and the
location of individual pots using hydraulic pressure sensor readings once every 10 seconds. EM will streamline data
collection and greatly improve the speed at which vessel and gear location data are usable for management and
enforcement, including by providing critical information to assess overlap between whales and crab gear in closer to
real time. EM will also strengthen crab traceability regulations, improve tracking of fishery reference points, and help
enforce season openings, area closures and other regulations.
EM systems that meet Oregon’s requirements, and where to get one
To provide maximum flexibility, EM regulations lay out system requirements (reporting rates, data access, etc.) but do
not specify a particular vendor or equipment type.
Vessels that participate in the Washington coastal commercial crab fishery and have EM systems that comply with
Washington’s EM rules are already compliant with Oregon’s EM rules. Vessels that participate in the California
commercial crab fishery and have EM systems that comply with California’s EM rules may become compliant with addition of
a hydraulic pressure sensor.
Federal vessel monitoring systems (VMS) do not satisfy Oregon’s operating requirements. VMS reporting rates for
federally managed fisheries range between one to four times per hour, whereas Oregon requires vessel location once per
minute and hydraulic pressure readings once every 10 seconds. In addition, VMS data cannot be made available to ODFW in
the time frames required. While it may be possible to increase the reporting rate of federal VMS units, the cost of data
transmission would likely be prohibitively expensive.
Potential service providers
Through our electronic logbook pilot program, we are aware of two service providers that have VMS units and hydraulic
sensors that currently meet our reporting requirements. Please note that the use of brand names or mention of specific
commercial products or services herein does not imply endorsement by ODFW or our partners, nor does it indicate any
preference or discrimination against similar brands, products, or services not listed. ODFW cannot guarantee the quality
of any referenced products and it is the responsibility of each user to verify that any chosen device meets all required
specifications. If you have questions or are aware of other products or manufacturers that may comply with requirements,
please contact the EM Program at 541-857-2522 or crab.EM@odfw.oregon.gov.
Archipelago Marine Research
The primary channel for fishers to purchase their Archipelago FishVue LIME VMS unit and hydraulic sensor will be through
Englund Marine, either in-store or online via the Englund Marine webstore. Englund Marine has a dedicated landing page
for fishers purchasing units online and has agreed to stock, ship, and support LIME units for Oregon.
For fishers replacing individual components (e.g. sensors, cable, or the LIME unit itself), both Englund Marine and
Archipelago will carry replacement equipment, and Englund will be facilitating warranty claims.
FishVue LIME units can be purchased through the Englund Marine online store here.
Viatrax
Fishers can purchase their Viatrax Boat Command VMS unit and hydraulic sensor through the Viatrax webstore. Viatrax has
a dedicated landing page for fishers purchasing units online for the Oregon EM program.
Boat Command units can be purchased through the Viatrax online store here.
ODFW is aware of one other VMS unit (below) that was not part of our electronic logbook testing program but may meet
requirements and is currently being evaluated for compliance. The EM webpage will be updated when the evaluation is
complete.
Teem Fish/PinPoint Earth Titan VMS
Fishers can learn more about the Titan VMS unit here.
Hydraulic pressure sensors
For those purchasing hydraulic units only, please check with your VMS unit provider to ensure that the hydraulic sensor
you are considering purchasing uses the correct voltage and is compatible with your VMS unit. Hydraulic pressure sensors
may also be purchased through the VMS unit providers listed above. Sensors that have been used in our electronic logbook
pilot program are listed below.
To offset costs to fishery participants, ODFW is pleased to offer financial support to the crab fleet to meet the new EM
requirements. Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) will be administering reimbursements of up to $800 to
eligible fishery participants for compliant equipment. Reimbursable expenses include the VMS unit, hydraulic sensor,
necessary cables and connectors, and shipping but DO NOT include data transmission service (also known as “airtime”) or
installation costs.
Reimbursement applications may be submitted beginning October 1, 2026. To ensure the full reimbursement amount,
documents must be submitted by April 1, 2027.
Eligibility
Oregon Ocean Commercial Dungeness Crab Permit holders are eligible for reimbursement of one EM system per permit under
this program. An individual acting on behalf of a permit holder (e.g., a vessel owner, operator, or business
representative) may also apply for this reimbursement. To be eligible for reimbursement, the EM system must comply with
Oregon’s requirements (see below).
Permit holders that are not eligible for reimbursement include:
Those that previously received an Archipelago FishVue LIME VMS unit and/or hydraulic pressure sensor for either the
Washington or California crab fisheries.
Those that previously received a Viatrax Boat Command VMS unit and a hydraulic pressure sensor as part of ODFW’s
electronic logbook pilot project.
Please note vessels that received a Faria Beede Sentry 500, CLS NEMO, or Ashcroft hydraulic sensor under ODFW’s
electronic logbook pilot project must replace their instruments and are eligible for reimbursement.
Required documentation
To be eligible for reimbursement, the purchaser must include copies of the following documents:
Paid sales invoice showing the name/vessel of the purchaser, equipment purchased (itemized to delineate equipment,
airtime, and shipping costs), and VMS unit serial number.
Oregon Ocean Commercial Dungeness Crab Permit.
Apply for reimbursement
To apply for reimbursement, please visit the PSMFC webpage here on or after October 1, 2026 to complete the EM Reimbursement Application and provide required documentation. It is the responsibility of the permit holder, vessel owner, vessel operator, and/or business
representative to coordinate and submit a single application for reimbursement. If you need assistance with the
application form or have questions about reimbursement, contact the EM Program at 541-857-2522 or
crab.EM@odfw.oregon.gov.
EM system operating requirements
The EM system must:
Accurately record the vessel's location at least once every minute.
Accurately record the hydraulic pressure reading from a hydraulic sensor installed on the main high pressure supply
line (between the hydraulic pump and the crab block such that recorded pressure readings show pressure increases during
pot hauling activity) at least once every 10 seconds.
Transmit vessel location and hydraulic sensor data to the service provider at least once every hour.
Be able to store vessel position and hydraulic pressure data in the event of service coverage interruption. Once
service is restored, the system must transmit stored data to the service provider.
Include a feedback mechanism to indicate to the vessel operator that the system is operational.
If the EM system can determine when a vessel is moored or dry-berthed, the EM system may automatically decrease the
position and hydraulic pressure recording rate to at least once every hour while the vessel is moored or dry-berthed.
More information about EM requirements in Oregon’s crab fishery can be found in the draft OARs here.
Vessel owner/operator responsibilities
Individual vessel owners/operators are responsible for purchasing, installing, and activating an EM system through a
service provider and ensuring that their equipment is working properly and transmitting data before participating in the
Oregon ocean commercial crab fishery. This includes paying all fees from the service provider that are necessary to
ensure continuous operation of the EM system. Fishing without a functioning EM system when it is required is a
violation. It is unlawful to tamper or interfere with equipment or interrupt data collection or transmission of an EM
system.
Vessel owners/operators must arrange for an EM system service provider to receive and relay transmissions to PSMFC per
requirements. EM data will be securely, confidentially stored and managed at the PSMFC, alongside other sensitive
fisheries information including electronic fish tickets and logbooks.
The vessel owner/operator is required to contact ODFW immediately if transmission of position and/or pressure sensor
readings are interrupted or no more than 24 hours after being notified by ODFW that position or pressure sensor readings
are not being received.
Vessel owners/operators are also responsible for submitting EM Activation Reports and Departure Declaration Forms, when
required (see below).
EM Activation Reports
Vessel operators will need to activate the EM system and submit an EM Activation Report to ODFW before the vessel is
used to set gear or take crab for commercial purposes in the ocean Dungeness crab fishery. An Activation Report must be
submitted under the following circumstances:
Annually before gear is deployed at the start of each season.
When an EM system is reactivated following a reinstallation.
When there is a change in service provider.
When there is a change to any information required in the EM Activation Report.
If a vessel chooses to resume participating in the crab fishery after declaring out (see below).
When participating in a derelict gear recovery program which requires a permit or waiver issued by ODFW.
Vessel operators may submit an EM Activation Report through the online form (coming soon). If you have questions or need
assistance with the form, contact 541-857-2522 or crab.EM@odfw.oregon.gov.
Declaring out of the fishery
To be exempt from the EM system requirement, vessel operators are required to declare out of the fishery by submitting a
Departure Declaration Form once the vessel is finished for the season and all Dungeness crab gear belonging to the
vessel, except lost gear, is removed from the water. Once a vessel has declared out of the fishery, an EM system is no
longer required; however, vessel operators will need to reactivate the EM system and submit an EM Activation Report
before gear is deployed at the start of the following season, if they choose to resume participating in the crab
fishery, or when participating in a derelict gear recovery program.
A Departure Declaration Form can be submitted through the online form (coming soon). If you have questions or need
assistance with the form, contact 541-857-2522 or crab.EM@odfw.oregon.gov.
EM exemptions
Exemptions from EM system requirements are typically not allowed. However, a vessel may be exempt under the following
circumstances:
By declaring out of the fishery if the vessel has suspended ocean Dungeness crab fishing operations and all crab gear
belonging to the vessel, except lost gear, is removed from the water (see above).
The vessel does not have an ocean Dungeness crab permit, is solely engaged in setting gear for an ocean Dungeness crab
permitted vessel (barging), and does not retrieve, retain, or possess Dungeness crab as allowed under OAR 635-005-0405.
The vessel has secured an EM Exemption Permit from ODFW as described below.
Exemption permits
To minimize disruptions to fishing activities, vessels may be temporarily exempted from the requirement to have an
operational EM system under a valid EM Exemption Permit from ODFW.
An EM Exemption Permit may be requested from ODFW when there is an interruption in EM system function. For an EM
Exemption Permit to be valid, a request must be received by ODFW as soon as it is apparent that the EM system is or will
become inoperable. An EM exemption is only authorized for a specified period, and a copy of the EM Exemption Permit must
be on board the vessel. The vessel must comply with all terms and conditions of the EM Exemption Permit if one is issued
(OAR 635-005-0446).
EM Exemption Permit requests will be reviewed and approved at the discretion of ODFW, and may be issued for the
following reasons:
EM system or hydraulic sensor failure. If an EM exemption is granted for this reason, the vessel operator must use
electronic navigational equipment to record a continuous track line of the vessel's movements until system function is
restored. Track line information must be retained for 30 days and made available to authorized representatives of ODFW
or law enforcement officials immediately upon request.
EM system will be disconnected from power due to vessel maintenance or repair and ocean Dungeness crab gear will
remain lawfully deployed.
EM system will be inoperable due to an emergency including, but not limited to, fire, flooding, capsizing, sinking, or
extensive physical damage to critical areas of the vessel.
Vessel operators may request an EM Exemption Permit through the online form (coming soon). If you have questions or need
assistance with the form, contact 541-857-2522 or crab.EM@odfw.oregon.gov.
Voluntary electronic logbook application
Logbooks are still required in the commercial crab fishery. ODFW will make an electronic logbook that integrates with EM
systems available for voluntary use this season. The electronic logbook will improve the quality, speed, and usability
of data received by ODFW, while lessening the recordkeeping burden for fishery participants. Those who choose not to use the electronic logbook will be required to maintain a paper logbook.
If interested, the electronic logbook application is now available to download from the App Store for devices using iOS
or Google Play for Android devices. To use the logbook app, users must create an account within the app and register
their active VMS device to the account.
Electronic logbook training
Harbor Light Software (HLS) will hold four training sessions in Astoria, Newport, North Bend, and Brookings during the
last week of October 2026 for those that are interested in learning about the electronic logbook application. HLS and
ODFW staff will be on hand to help set up your account and provide a demonstration of how to use the application. For
those unable to attend training sessions in person, a recording will be made available online. More information about
the training sessions will be shared in the near future and posted on the EM webpage.
4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE :: Salem, OR 97302 :: Main Phone (503) 947-6000 or (800) 720-ODFW [6339]
Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? Contact ODFW's Public Service Representative at: odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov
Do you need this information in an alternative format or language? Contact 503-947-6000 or click here.
