Oregon Department of Justice

Attorney General Hardy Myers today warned commercial fishermen to watch out for thieves stealing their catch and equipment as another crabbing season opened on the Oregon Coast. The Attorney General's office, Dungeness Crab Commission, and the Oregon State University Sea Grant, in partnership with the Oregon State Police, have formed a coalition to reduce the number of thefts of crab and crab pots by taking stronger enforcement actions.

"This partnership is specifically designed to respond to this growing problem," Myers said. "Stealing crab pots and their contents is a crime and it has to stop."

OSP Sergeant Dave Cleary of the State Police Game Division says each year legal commercial fishermen face possible theft of their crab pots and contents. "Thieves take advantage of honest, hard-working commercial crab fishermen by stealing their property and profits," Cleary said.

Executive Director of the Dungeness Crab Commission Nick Furman believes that every theft can have a large impact on responsible fishing families.

The Oregon State Police and coalition members are placing crab theft posters in all the coastal towns and ports asking for help from any individuals with information about the theft of crab pots and crab products. Victims and witnesses are asked to report information to the Oregon State Police by calling a toll free number 1-800-452-7888. Additional information is available on the OSU Sea Grant web site www.heads-up.net.