The future of Alaska’s red king crab fishery is at a turning point.
Proposed changes to the fishery’s management in Southeast Alaska could provide more opportunities for commercial fishermen, while new genetic research shows the species’ resilience. Together, these developments may help shape the sustainability of this valuable fishery.
Proposed Changes to Southeast Alaska’s Red King Crab Fishery
The commercial red king crab fishery in Southeast Alaska has struggled over the last decade, with only one opening in the past ten years. Currently, state regulations only allow for a fishery when the regional stock exceeds 200,000 pounds, a threshold originally set based on processor requirements when red king crab sold for much lower prices. However, that threshold is being reconsidered with individual crabs now fetching over $100 each.
According to KTOO, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has proposed lowering the stock requirement to allow smaller commercial openings, even when the 200,000-pound mark isn’t met. Adam Messmer, regional shellfish biologist for ADF&G, explained, “The 200,000-pound threshold... isn't a biological threshold. It was created by the processors many years ago, saying that they couldn't make money on anything less than 200,000 pounds. That was back when red crab was three or four dollars a pound. And times have changed…”
If approved by the Alaska Board of Fisheries, this change could provide more flexibility for commercial fishermen, creating opportunities for harvests during years when stocks are lower but still commercially viable.
Genetic Research Sheds Light on Red King Crab Resilience
New research provides a better understanding of red king crab populations and their genetic diversity. A recent study conducted by NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center, in collaboration with Cornell University, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and ADF&G, used whole genome sequencing to analyze genetic variation across different populations of red king crab in Alaska.
According to Alaska Sporting Journal, the study found significant genetic differences between populations, even among crabs living just a few hundred miles apart. This challenges previous assumptions that red king crab populations were genetically homogenous. “When it comes to understanding crab biomass declines and how to recover populations, we need to better understand population structure and local adaptation,” said Wes Larson, genetics program manager at NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center.
This new understanding of red king crab genetics could have important implications for fisheries management, supporting the current practice of managing different regional stocks separately. It also plays a crucial role in enhancement programs, where young crabs are raised in hatcheries and released into the wild. The research suggests that using local broodstock is essential to maintaining genetic diversity and improving survival rates.
Looking Ahead
As Southeast Alaska considers new management strategies for its red king crab fishery, the latest genetic research is helping shape long-term conservation and sustainability efforts. With shifting environmental conditions and regulatory changes on the horizon, both scientific research and industry input will be critical in determining the future of this fishery.
