Red king crab, bairdi surge while snow crab dips

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game today announced Bering Sea crab harvest quotas for the 2026-27 season.

The Bristol Bay red king crab quota is 3.41 million pounds, a 27 percent increase from last season.

The Bering Sea snow crab quota is 5.1 million pounds, down 45 percent.

The Bering Sea bairdi Tanner crab quota is 32.1 million pounds, a 185 percent increase.

The season opens at noon Oct. 15, with the fleet expected to concentrate on red king crab first.

Hefty quota increases for Bering Sea crab

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game today announced Bering Sea crab harvest quotas for the 2025-26 season.

The Bristol Bay red king crab quota is 2.68 million pounds, a 16 percent increase from last season.

The Bering Sea snow crab quota is 9.3 million pounds, up 97 percent.

The Bering Sea bairdi Tanner crab quota is 11.25 million pounds, a 79 percent increase.

The season opens at noon Oct. 15, with the fleet expected to first go after Bristol Bay red king crab.

Deckboss is advised the federal government shutdown is not expected to delay issuance of individual fishing quotas for crabbers.