Title 42, Commercial Fishing and Fisheries

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of the commercial fishing laws, it is unlawful for an individual to operate a vessel in the ocean scallop fishery without first obtaining a vessel permit issued pursuant to ORS 508.840 to 508.867. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of …

(1) Notwithstanding ORS 508.840, an individual who holds a valid scallop fishing permit required by or issued pursuant to the laws of the states of Washington or California may land scallops in this state that were taken in the ocean fishery without the permit required by ORS 508…

Except as provided in ORS 508.861, no new vessel permits shall be issued. [1981 c.365 §27; 1989 c.940 §9; 1995 c.602 §17]

An individual who obtained the permit required by ORS 508.840 for calendar year 1981 is eligible to obtain renewal of the permit in a subsequent calendar year, upon application by December 31 of the permit year and payment of the fees therefor, if during the preceding calendar ye…

In making determinations regarding renewal of the permits required by ORS 508.840, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Commercial Fishery Permit Board may consider as evidence of permit qualifications or requirements department records and such receipts, accounts, c…

The Commercial Fishery Permit Board may revoke and refuse subsequent issuance of a permit required by ORS 508.840 in the manner provided in ORS 508.485 (1) and 508.490. [1981 c.365 §30; 2013 c.164 §4]

The annual fee for the vessel permit required by ORS 508.840 is: (1) $140 for resident applicants. (2) $196 for nonresident applicants. [1981 c.365 §31; 1991 c.701 §14; 2009 c.832 §36; 2011 c.613 §7; 2025 c.564 §67] Note 1: The amendments to 508.858 by section 69, chapter 564, Or…

The State Department of Fish and Wildlife may establish by rule a lottery system for issuing permits to vessels that do not meet the requirements of ORS 508.849. The department, by rule, shall determine the number of permits and the criteria for issuance. [1981 c.365 §32; 1989 c.…

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an ocean scallop vessel permit issued pursuant to ORS 508.840 to 508.867 may not be transferred to another vessel: (a) Until the vessel for which the permit was issued has been used in the ocean scallop fishery for three or more cal…

(1) Notwithstanding ORS 508.755 (6)(b) and (c), an individual whose application for renewal of the permit required by ORS 508.840 is denied by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife may make written request to the Commercial Fishery Permit Board for review of the denial. The r…

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of the commercial fishing laws, it is unlawful for an individual to operate a vessel in the ocean pink shrimp fishery without first obtaining a vessel permit issued pursuant to ORS 508.880, 508.883 and 508.889 to 508.910. (2) Notwithstandin…

(1) Notwithstanding ORS 508.880, an individual who holds valid commercial fishing permits required by or issued pursuant to the laws of the states of Washington or California to take pink shrimp may land pink shrimp in this state that were taken in the ocean pink shrimp fishery w…

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, until the number of vessel permits required by ORS 508.880 reaches 235: (1) For calendar year 1987, those persons who delivered pink shrimp by use of a single delivery license referred to in ORS 508.285 during calendar year 1986 are eli…

Except as provided in ORS 508.904, no new vessel permits shall be issued. [1979 c.613 §15; 1989 c.940 §12; 1995 c.602 §23]

(1) An individual who obtained the permit required by ORS 508.880 for a particular calendar year is eligible to obtain renewal of the permit in a subsequent calendar year upon application and payment of the fees therefor and upon obtaining the annual boat license referred to in O…

In making determinations regarding renewal of the permits required by ORS 508.880, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Commercial Fishery Permit Board may consider as evidence of permit qualifications or requirements department records and such receipts, accounts, c…

The Commercial Fishery Permit Board may revoke and refuse subsequent issuance of a permit required by ORS 508.880 in the manner provided in ORS 508.485 (1) and 508.490. [1979 c.613 §18; 2013 c.164 §5]

(1) The annual fee for the vessel permit required by ORS 508.880 is: (a) $224 for resident applicants. (b) $280 for nonresident applicants. (2) Applications shall be in such form and contain such information as the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, by rule, may prescribe. [1…

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, if the number of permits renewed under ORS 508.892 falls below 150, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife shall issue permits by lottery systems for vessels that do not meet such requirements, first among those individ…

(1) The vessel permit required by ORS 508.880 is transferable: (a) To a replacement vessel of the permit holder. A replacement is any vessel that is purchased for any reason to replace a vessel previously owned by and licensed to the permit holder; (b) To the purchaser of the ves…

The Commercial Fishery Permit Board may not prohibit the transfer under ORS 508.907 of a valid ocean pink shrimp vessel permit on the basis that: (1) The vessel for which the permit was issued did not participate in the ocean pink shrimp fishery for three or more preceding consec…

(1) An individual whose application for renewal of the permit required by ORS 508.880 is denied by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife may make written request to the Commercial Fishery Permit Board for review of the denial. The review provided in this subsection is in lieu…

(1) The Commercial Fishery Permit Board is authorized to receive applications and issue ocean pink shrimp vessel permits for 1982 to trawl vessel owners for those vessels that did not qualify for or receive an ocean pink shrimp permit in 1980, if the board finds that the vessel h…

The State Fish and Wildlife Director shall work with the appropriate authorities in the states of California and Washington to negotiate reciprocal agreements that would allow vessels registered under the laws of those states to land pink shrimp in Oregon to the same extent that …

The Legislative Assembly finds that the Oregon ocean Dungeness crab fishery is overcapitalized. This overcapitalization has led to economic destabilization of the ocean Dungeness crab industry and the coastal communities relying on the crab harvest and can cause excessive harvest…

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of the commercial fishing laws, it is unlawful for an individual to operate a vessel in the ocean Dungeness crab fishery without first obtaining a vessel permit issued pursuant to ORS 508.931 or 508.941. (2) Notwithstanding any other provis…

(1) The system established under ORS 508.921 shall provide initial eligibility for vessels to participate in the ocean Dungeness crab fishery seasons established by the State Fish and Wildlife Commission, beginning on December 1, 1995, with a transferable ocean Dungeness crab per…

The Commercial Fishery Permit Board may revoke and refuse subsequent issuance of a vessel permit required by ORS 508.926 in the manner provided in ORS 508.485 (1) and 508.490. [2014 c.1 §2] Note: 508.934 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or mad…

(1) The system established under ORS 508.921 shall include provisions to make the vessel ocean Dungeness crab permit required by ORS 508.926 transferable: (a) To another vessel; or (b) To the purchaser of the vessel when the vessel is sold. (2) Except as provided in subsection (3…

(1) The system established under ORS 508.921 shall include any other provisions for participation that the State Fish and Wildlife Commission considers appropriate. (2) Any determination by the commission regarding the eligibility of a vessel to participate in the ocean Dungeness…

(1) As used in this section, “crab fishing season” has the meaning given that term in ORS 508.931. (2) A person may not leave a crab pot used as part of the ocean Dungeness crab fishery in the waters of this state more than 15 days after the closure of the crab fishing season. (3…

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of the commercial fishing laws and except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, a person may not operate a vessel for: (a) Landing black rockfish or blue rockfish in a fishery without a black rockfish and blue rockfish vessel permi…

(1) The State Department of Fish and Wildlife may issue a black rockfish and blue rockfish vessel permit to an owner of a vessel that landed a minimum of 750 pounds of nontrawl caught black rockfish, blue rockfish or nearshore fish in any one calendar year between January 1, 1995…

(1) The annual fee for a black rockfish and blue rockfish vessel permit or a black rockfish and blue rockfish vessel permit with a nearshore fish endorsement issued under ORS 508.947 is: (a) $140 for resident applicants. (b) $196 for nonresident applicants. (2) Applications for a…

(1) There is established a Black Rockfish, Blue Rockfish and Nearshore Species Research Account in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest on moneys in the account shall be credited to the account. (2) The account shall consist of moneys deposite…

(1) An owner of a vessel that has a black rockfish and blue rockfish vessel permit or a black rockfish and blue rockfish vessel permit with a nearshore fish endorsement shall keep a log book that includes: (a) The amount of food fish that are caught; (b) The date on which the foo…

(1) The State Fish and Wildlife Commission may establish by rule a lottery for issuing permits to vessels under ORS 508.947. (2) A vessel may qualify for the lottery if the vessel: (a) Has a boat license issued pursuant to ORS 508.260 for the current year; and (b) Had a boat lice…

(1) A black rockfish and blue rockfish vessel permit with a nearshore fish endorsement issued under ORS 508.947 may be transferred to another vessel if: (a) The permit has been renewed a minimum of five times; and (b) The vessel operating under the permit has made, in the previou…

(1) A person whose application for issuance, renewal or transfer of a permit under ORS 508.947 is denied by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife may make written request to the Commercial Fishery Permit Board for review of the denial. The review provided in this subsection i…

(1) The Legislative Assembly finds that it is the policy of the State of Oregon that rules as a whole related to Columbia River fish management and reform that are adopted by the State Fish and Wildlife Commission: (a) Optimize overall economic benefits to this state; (b) Enhance…

The definitions prescribed by ORS 506.001 to 506.025 apply to this chapter. [1965 c.570 §91]

It is unlawful to take, possess, buy, sell or otherwise handle any food fish in or from any waters of this state, during times, in a manner or by means of the fishing gear prohibited by law. [1965 c.570 §92]

(1) It is unlawful, during a closed season on any of the waters of this state, to: (a) Take or transport food fish taken in or upon such waters. (b) Make use of a boat or any fishing gear to take or transport food fish taken in such waters. (c) Have, leave or cause to be left in …

(1) In addition to the penalty prescribed by ORS 506.991, upon conviction of a violation of ORS 509.011, the court may order the forfeiture of the boat, vessel, vehicle and fishing gear unlawfully used, in the manner provided by ORS 506.695 and 506.700, and the clear proceeds of …

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual lawfully engaged in commercial fishing, while at sea, may consume a portion of the lawful commercial catch, without payment of the fees required under ORS 508.505. [1987 c.178 §2; 1991 c.701 §18]

It is unlawful to sell within this state, or transport out of this state for the purpose of sale, food fish taken from any waters of this state by means of angling. [Amended by 1965 c.570 §94; subsection (2) enacted as 1965 c.570 §107; 1977 c.242 §6]