For the first time in nearly three years, Bering Sea snow crab is once again hitting Unalaska’s docks.
The fishery, which shut down in 2022 after an unprecedented population collapse, reopened in mid-October, and the first catch was delivered on Jan. 15, marking a significant moment for a fishery that has faced steep economic and environmental challenges, according to KUCB.
While the return of the fishery is welcome news, it comes with tempered expectations. Fishermen were allotted approximately 4.72 million pounds of snow crab this season, a stark contrast to historic catch limits. The fleet remains in its early stages, with nine vessels currently participating. According to Alaska Department of Fish and Game area management biologist Ethan Nichols, the initial reports from the grounds suggest promising numbers of large, new-shell snow crab in the far northern portions of the fishery. However, catch-per-unit effort (CPUE) remains relatively low at 134 crabs per pot, though Nichols expects this to rise as the fleet identifies more productive areas.
The commercial fishing community is no stranger to uncertainty. In an interview with the Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers (ABSC) before the Pacific Marine Expo in November, crabbers continue to navigate mounting costs and financial hardships. Industry leaders like Jamie Goen, executive director of ABSC, have emphasized the difficulty of sustaining operations after prolonged closures. “The disaster relief process is a disaster within itself,” Goen said. “It takes so long for funds to reach the people who need them that by the time they do, the significance is lost.”
Processing logistics have also changed this year. Normally, a portion of the snow crab harvest would be processed in St. Paul, but with Trident Seafoods keeping its Pribilof Island plant closed, all crab is being delivered to Unalaska, according to KUCB. Nichols noted that while this shift has streamlined Fish and Game’s sampling process, it underscores the economic fragility of the industry as local infrastructure struggles to keep pace with evolving challenges.
Beyond the snow crab fishery, the Western Bering Sea Tanner crab season is also underway, with eight vessels registered and less than 10 percent of the total harvest caught so far. Many snow crab harvesters are expected to transition to Tanner crab before the season closes at the end of March. Meanwhile, the Pacific cod pot fishery for boats under 58 feet opened on Feb. 13, with an expected 20 vessels participating.
Despite a cautiously optimistic outlook for crab stocks, the long-term viability of the industry remains uncertain. The challenges extend beyond population recovery, touching on financial pressures, vessel maintenance, and the need for policy reforms that better support fishermen. Goen and other advocates have called for federal recognition of commercial fishing within USDA programs to ensure that relief efforts for fisheries match the rapid support available to farmers.
As Nichols pointed out, more vessels are still expected to enter the snow crab fishery this season, bringing the total to around 15. However, four vessels have already checked out, possibly reflecting ongoing economic strain. Fish ticket prices hover around $3 per pound, an improvement over past seasons but still not enough to erase the struggles of the past few years.
While the return of the Bering Sea snow crab fishery is a positive development, it’s clear that fishermen, processors, and coastal communities are still navigating an uphill battle. The road to stability will require not only healthy crab stocks but also systemic changes that prioritize the resilience of the fishing industry as a whole.
