Alaska red king crab catch. (Photo: adfg.alaska.gov)

Snow crab TAC up 64 pc; red king crab TAC cut in half

UNITED STATES
Friday, October 14, 2011, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) have completed analysis of NMFS trawl survey data for the Bering Sea snow crab stock. They set the 2011/2012 total allowable catch (TAC) for the Bering Sea District snow crab fishery at 88.894 million lb -- a 64 per cent increase over 2010.

Figures are based on abundance and biomass estimates from the NMFS stock assessment model.

The TAC is apportioned as follows: the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) at 80,004,600 lb and the Community Development Quota (CDQ) at 8,889,400 lb.

The 2011/12 Bering Sea snow crab fishery will open on 15 October 2011 and run through 15 May 2012 in the Eastern Subdistrict and through 31 May 2012 in the Western Subdistrict.

For red king crabs, the largest commercially harvested crabs, the principal harvest of this species in Alaska happens in Bristol Bay, whose red king crab fishery is one of the most valuable in the country.

The 2011 quota for Alaska Bristol Bay red king crab is over 7 million lb -- a 47 per cent drop from 2010. The 2011 Saint Matthew Island blue king crab quota is set at over 2 million lb, signifying a 47 per cent jump from last year.

Crews have been preparing their boats and equipment to navigate the turbulent waters of the bay.

“Alaska’s weather is unpredictable and unforgiving, especially in the Bering Sea,” said Lt Matthew Zinn, supervisor of Marine Safety Detachment Kodiak. “It is critical and essential to be prepared and have all the necessary safety equipment and gear while fishing out in Alaskan waters.”

Crab crews require lots of equipment to make their catch and this gear necessitates thorough examination for the crews to guarantee their safety.

Further steps taken to prepare captains and their crew include having observers from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) ride on participating crab boats throughout the harvesting season, to make sure every measure is made properly to provide a safe environment for the crews while also certifying sustainable fishery practices.

Marine Safety Detachment Kodiak also offers complimentary commercial fishing vessel dockside exams before the season starts, including verifying logbooks and certificates, lifesaving gear, navigation equipment and firefighting equipment.


Related article:

- Alaska's red king crab quota cut in half

By Natalia Real
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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