Alaska Crab
The U.S. Alaska crab commercial fisheries were awarded continued certification in March 2022. The certification encompasses the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King, Tanner, and Snow crab commercial fisheries [Bristol Bay Red King crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus); St. Matthew Island Blue King crab (Paralithodes platypus); Eastern Bering Sea Tanner Crab (Chionoecetes bairdi); Aleutian Islands Golden King Crab (Lithodes aequispinus); and Eastern Bering Sea Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio)].
Certification Reports
- Bering Sea Crab Client Group LLC
- Alaska Crab Certificate
- Alaska Crab Surveillance Report – April 2025
- Alaska Crab Annual Surveillance and Team Announcement, Oct 2024
- Alaska Crab Surveillance Report – March 2024
- Alaska Crab Annual Surveillance and Team Announcement, Sept 2023
- Alaska Crab Full Re-Certification Assessment Report, March 2022
- Notice of AK Crab Certification Re-Assessment, July 2021
- Surveillance Report – Oct 2021
- Notice of AK Crab Surveillance and Team – July 2021
- Surveillance Report – May 2020
- Notice of Crab Assessment Team – Dec 2019
- Surveillance Report – April 2019
- Notice of Crab Assessment Team – Dec 2018
- Surveillance Report – June 2018
- Alaska Crab Notice of 1st Surveillance, Team and Site Visit – May 2018 PDF
- AK Crab Full Assessment Final Report December 2017
- Form 9 Notice of Crab Assessment Teams and Site Visits December 2016
Initial Certification:
- Final Full Report: Download the Final Full Certification Report
- Summary Report: Download the Summary Certification Report
- Comments: Click here to submit a comment regarding the Final Certification Report.
- Confirmation of External Peer Reviewers, March 2012
- Notices for the Assessment Team, December 2011
- Announcement of Site Visit, December 2011
Audit 1:
- Annual Audit Report, July 2013
- Comments: Click here to submit a comment regarding the Final Audit Report
Audit 2:
- Annual Audit Report, May 2014
- Comments: Click here to submit a comment regarding the Final Audit Report
- Notice of Assessment Team Nomination for the BSAI Crab, February 2014
- Form 7 Site Visit Confirmation Site Visit Plan BSAI Crab, March 2014
Audit 3:
- Annual Audit Report, June 2015
- Comments: Click here to submit a comment regarding the Final Audit 3 Report
- Form 9 Notice of Assessment Team Nomination for the BSAI Crab, April 2015
- Form 9b Site Visit BSAI Crab, April 2015
Audit 4:
- Annual Audit Report – July 2016
- Comments: Click here to submit a comment regarding 4th Final Audit 4 Report
- Form 9 Assessment Team Nomination Alaska Crab, April 2016
- Form 9b Notice of Surveillance and Site Visit Alaska Crab, April 2016
Fishery Info
Certified King, Tanner and Snow crab is harvested in state and federal waters off the coast of Alaska. Harvest of different Bering Sea crab species is permitted during different seasons. Red King crab is generally harvested during a winter season; Golden King crab from August through May; and Tanner and Opilio (snow) crab January through May.
Steel traps or pots are baited with cut fish, then pushed over the side. The steel framed pots are covered in mesh with escape rings to allow undersized crab to leave the pot. Buoys mark the location of each pot, allowing crabbers to retrieve them. After the pots are hauled in, they are quickly emptied into the hold, rebaited, and returned to the ocean floor.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) has primary responsibility for the management of certified Alaska crab fisheries. In federal waters, management is delegated to the state by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC), although they maintain federal oversight.
Crab quota is allocated to harvesters and processors, together with incentives to participate in fishery cooperatives. Quota is also assigned to benefit Western Alaska communities via the Community Development Quota (CDQ) program.
Source: https://www.alaskaseafood.org/resource/alaska-shellfish-buyers-guide/
Vessels harvesting crab that is certified by CSI under the U.S. Alaska Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King, Tanner and Snow Crab Commercial Fisheries operate exclusively within federal waters of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the state waters of Alaska, as well as home-porting in the U.S. state of Washington. U.S. federal and state laws regulate the treatment of workers on vessels that harvest certified Alaska crab.
King Crab: The largest of all crabs caught in the world, Alaska king crab is unmatched in flavor and texture. This sweet and firm shellfish is rich and luxurious and easy to cook in simple recipes that include boiling, grilling, steaming and baking. Both Red and Golden kings are sweet, rich and luxurious in taste, and have a firm but tender texture.
Snow Crab: Alaska snow crab’s unique delicate flavor, snowy-white meat and tender texture sets a table of simple elegance. This sweet and tender shellfish pops with crab flavor and texture and can be easily and quickly heated by boiling, grilling, roasting, baking and steaming.
Tanner (bairdi) Crab: Alaska Tanner crab meat is particularly sweet with a delicate flavor and tender texture. It is not quite as rich as some other crab species. Great for boiling, grilling, roasting, baking and steaming.
Source: https://www.alaskaseafood.org/
Wild Alaska crab is packed with protein, omega-3s, and vitamins.
Alaska King Crab
Serving Size: 3oz (85g) cooked
Alaska Snow Crab
Serving Size: 3oz (85g) cooked
Alaska Dungeness Crab
Serving Size: 3oz (85g) cooked
Source: https://www.alaskaseafood.org/health-nutrition/nutrition-information/#alaska-shellfish