Southeast Alaska Red Personal-Use Red Crab Season Looming

Map by ADFG

The following press release is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Juneau-  The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that the 2017/2018 winter personal use red and blue king crab season in Section 11-A will open at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 15 and will continue through 8:00 p.m., Saturday, March 31, 2018, unless closed earlier by emergency order.

Analysis of data from the 2017 Juneau leg of the annual red king crab survey indicates sufficient stock abundance to allow prosecution of the Section 11-A personal use red and blue king crab fishery. The winter season fishery will proceed with the following daily bag and possession limits and restrictions:

  • Fishery will be open from 8:00 a.m.Wednesday, November 15, through 8:00 p.m., Saturday March 31, 2018, unless closed earlier by emergency order.
  • Daily bag and possession limit for the red and blue king crab fishery is 2 male crabs per household permit.
  • Winter seasonal limit for the red and blue king crab fishery is 6 male crabs per household permit.
  • King, Tanner, or Dungeness crab may only be taken using one pot or two ring nets per vessel, or diving during this fishery.
  • A household permit is required to participate in the fishery and permits will be available at the Douglas Fish and Game Office at 802 3rd Street, and the Fish and Game Headquarters at 1255 W. 8th Street starting 8:00 a.m., Monday, November 13, 2017. Permits will not be available online.
  • Winter king crab permits must be returned to the Douglas ADF&G office immediately once the seasonal limit has been reached, or by April 2, 2018.

Residents are reminded that they must also be in possession of a valid sport-fishing license if 18 years or older prior to harvesting king crab.

Current regulations on personal use red and blue king crab fishing can be found at: www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/folioproxy.asp

Information regarding the red and blue king crab personal use fishery outside Section 11-A may be found in the September 18 News Release #091817 NR1. For more information on the status of the red and blue king crab personal use fishery outside Section 11-A please contact Joe Stratman (772-5238) or Adam Messmer (465-4853).

Section 11-A includes the waters of Gastineau Channel, Stephens Passage and Lynn Canal north of a line from the Coast Guard marker and light on Point Arden to Bishop Point at 58°12.33′ N. lat. and 134° 10.00′ W. long., and south of a line at the latitude of Little Island Light at 58°32.41 N. latitude, and east of a line from Little Island Light to Point Retreat Light.