ODFW release - 1.   Recruitment opening for the ODCAC - The ODCAC serves as an advisory body to ODFW on ocean commercial crab policy issues. Input from this group helps the department address ongoing and new management issues, as well as season opening decisions.  ODFW strives for membership that represents the diversity of the ocean commercial industry, including buyers, harvesters, and industry groups with a range of business plans, vessel sizes, pot tiers, and home ports. To maintain this balance, ODFW is seeking to add representatives from each of the following ports: Garibaldi, Port Orford, and Brookings.  Member expectations:  Members are expected to represent perspectives of industry members who are similarly situated, not limited to their own viewpoint. This means reaching out to contacts in their port, community, or professional network to get broader input on topics under discussion and sharing that with the committee. Members are expected to be courteous, professional, and respectful towards all ODCAC meeting attendees.  Active ODCAC members are expected to attend and contribute to the majority of meetings, held throughout the season opening decision process, with additional meetings as needed. Conference call options are available for all meetings, so that in-person attendance is not required. Meetings are open to the public. Priority is given to discussion with members, with a brief opportunity for public input at the end of each meeting, if time allows. 

Application and appointment:  An application form is available at: https://forms.gle/5adJ79Z5gpdVKcxS7.  If interested in applying, please complete this form no later than October 25, 2026. For application assistance or to request a paper form, please contact ODFW using the information below.  In selecting a member, ODFW will consider the submitted information, relevant expertise or past engagement in commercial crab policy issues, and how an applicant aligns with the attributes that ODFW is seeking to represent. ODFW may also consider licensing, landing, enforcement, and other relevant information. ODFW plans to announce appointments by the end of October.  2.   Upcoming voluntary electronic logbook training opportunities:  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 and the location of individual pots using hydraulic pressure sensor readings.  ODFW will make an electronic logbook that integrates with EM available for voluntary use by December 1, 2026. 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 application will be required to maintain a paper logbook.  The application developer, Harbor Light Software, and ODFW will hold four training sessions for those that are interested in learning about the electronic logbook application. Trainers will provide a demonstration of how to use the logbook application. For those unable to attend training sessions in person, a recording will be posted on the EM webpage after the training session. Training session times and locations:  Newport, Monday, October 26th – 1-4:30pm, Guin Library Seminar Room, 2030 SE Marine Science Dr., Newport, OR 97365; Astoria, Tuesday, October 27th – 11:30am-2:30pm, Astoria Public Library, 450 10th St., Astoria, OR 97103; Brookings, Wednesday, October 28th – 1-4:30pm, Brookings Elks Lodge #1934, 800 Elk Dr., Brookings OR 97415; North Bend, Thursday, October 29th – 1-4:30pm, North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Ave., North Bend, OR 97459.  Reasonable accommodation, such as assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters, and materials in large print or audiotape, will be provided as needed. To ensure availability, please contact the Marine Resources Program Office at 541-867-4741 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting to make your request. TTY users can reach ODFW by using the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service. Please dial 711 and ask to connect to 541-867-4741.  To get the most out of the electronic logbook training session, please make sure you have done the following:    Set up and activate your VMS unit through your EM system provider.  Download the “ODFW Dungeness Crab eLogbook” app from your device's app store. The app icon will look like one of the images below.  ODFW Electronic Logbook Application Icons.  NOTE: Do not download the version with “EVAL” in the app title or icon.  Open the app, press the “+ ACCOUNT” button, and enter your information to create an app account.  Press the “CONFIGURE” button and enter vessel and VMS unit information.  If you’re unable to set up an app account in advance, assistance will be available at the training.  We recommend using a dedicated tablet for the electronic logbook app and not a cell phone.  PLEASE NOTE: If using a LIME VMS unit, you must send an email to Aileen Smith at Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission ([email protected]) that states: "I authorize that the data from my LIME unit be shared to the Oregon electronic logbook application." Include your LIME serial number, vessel name, and federal document number (coast guard vessel number) or state registration number. If using a Boat Command VMS unit, this step is not needed.  If you have questions about EM or electronic logbooks, contact the EM Program at 541-857-2522 or [email protected].