This just in from Norton Sound Economic Development Corp., one of the state's six Community Development Quota companies.
June 17, 2011
Norton Sound red king crab prices climb by more than $1.50
NOME — Norton Sound Economic Development Corp. announces its Norton Sound Seafood Products division will pay fishermen $5.29 per pound in 2011 for Norton Sound red king crab at the dock in Nome.
Last year the crab price was set at $3.77 at the dock.
The CDQ crab fishery is set to open on June 28. Once the first deliveries can be checked for quality and meat-fill, NSSP will immediately proceed with accepting deliveries from the open-access fishery.
NSSP is working on plans to continue its offering of tendering services from the Golovin area and in the southern portion of Norton Sound. Tendered crab will fetch a price of $5.04 to fishermen.
"Aided by the strong demand worldwide for crab, Norton Sound Seafood Products is pleased to offer a more than 40 percent increase in the price paid to fishermen over last year," said Rich Ferry, an NSSP manager. "We are proud to support our resident fishermen. With such strong prices this year, we anticipate a great season."
Let's hope that there is indeed a "strong demand worldwide for crab" because NSSP's parent company, Norton Sound's CDQ group, NSEDC, tends to manipulate the public with favors for support. NSSP is heavily subsidized to the tune of millions lost each year in operating costs. Maybe a crabber or two will hit a 'hot spot' and then it'll be worth the effort otherwise the crab fishermen are lucky if they break even for their tax break. Ironic isn't it - fishermen getting a tax break from fishing for a Public Monies monopoly. How did this happen?????
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