CA, WA Dungeness Crab Fisheries on Hold For Now

Following Oregon’s announcement of a delay in the state’s Dungeness crab season, both California and Washington said that a combination of factors will delay the seasons in those states, too.

Late last week, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham announced the delay of the primary commercial crab season for Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties – Fishing Zones 1 and 2 in Northern California. The season would normally open on Dec. 1.

“Crab quality tests could not be conducted in ...

Domoic Acid, Meat Recovery Delays Oregon Crab Season

As if some seriously stormy ocean weather wasn't enough, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Wednesday a delay in the primary commercial Dungeness crab season off Oregon until at least Dec. 16.

Pre-season testing showed Dungeness crabs are too low in meat yield in some ocean areas and have elevated domoic acid levels in crab viscera in two areas on the South Coast.

Viscera from two crab in Area K, Cape Blanco to Gold Beach, landed on Nov. 16, showed levels of 38 and 39 parts ...

Two Japanese Importers Bid USD 46/kg for Russian King Crabs at the Busan Auction 

The first bid for the 2024 auction of new frozen king crab from the Russian Far East was held on November 8 in Busan, South Korea. According to the Minato Shimbun report, five Japanese trading companies interviewed said 105 tons of air-blast frozen cooked section products were up for bid. Two Japanese trading companies won the bid at $46-46.50/kg (single price for medium to 3L), 50% higher than the same month last year, which was $30.00/kg...

Russian Crab Producers Seek Reform in Investment Quotas Amid Rising Costs

Leading Russian crab producers have called on the state to remove part of the crab catch quotas from the existing investment programs due to low profitability and high costs.

Recently, representatives of producers have called on Russian authorities to review the second stage of the program of investment quotas for crab fishing and exclude the Far East subzone from it.

In fact, Russian crab catchers signed agreements with the state in 2018 for the use of crab quotas for a period of 15 years, according...

Russian Crab Industry Struggles with Investment Pressures Amid Falling Demand and Export Limits

Quotas for Kamchatka crab in the Barents Sea will be sold at a reduced price at the end of November, as the planned auctions for the sale of quotas for catching crab in the Northern Basin, which was scheduled for November 13, will not take place due to the lack of applications.

According to the documentation on the Russian Auction House (RAD) website, the latest auctions failed because not a single application was received for participation.

The Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo) was organizing the auctions...

ADF&G Set Lowest Limits for Kodiak Tanner Crabs in Five Years, May Set Record for Shortest Season

On November 1, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game set Guideline Harvest Limits (GHLs) for Tanner crab fisheries in Kodiak, Chignik, and South Peninsula Districts that are at lowest levels in half a decade. Kodiak fishermen will have 560,000 lbs. to catch in the Kodiak District — 155,000 lbs. from the Eastern section and 405,000 lbs. from the Southeast section —  and 210,000 lbs. in the Eastern section of the South Peninsula District.

Chignik, Kodiak’s Southwest section and the South Peninsula’s Western section ...

Les Hodges: The Holiday Buying Season Begins with New Alaska Fisheries

The Alaska king and snow crab fisheries are underway, with all eyes looking north. This season, the red king crab quota has been raised by 7.5% to 2.310mm pounds. Meanwhile, tanner (or bairdi) snow crab has seen a remarkable increase, tripling last year's quota to 6.27 million pounds. Additionally, there's an unexpected opening for opilio snow crab, with a quota set at 4.720mm pounds. However, St. Mathew blue king crab and the Pribilof red and blue king crab remain closed.

Norway also announced 2025 quotas...

Norway Boosts 2025 Snow Crab Quota

Norway’s Ministry of Trade and Fisheries announced an increase in the 2025 snow crab quota to 12,725 metric tons. This marks a notable jump of 2,425 metric tons compared to the recommended total quota in 2024.

The quotas fall in line with recent recommendations made by Norway’s Institute of Marine Research (IMR).

“It is gratifying that we will get an increase in the snow crab quota in 2025. When several of the fishing quotas are otherwise going down, we have to be happy about the arrows pointing upwards,” said Fisheries and Oceans Minister...

Lawmakers Send Letter to Biden Pushing for Investigation into Venezuelan Crabmeat Imports

A number of U.S. Senators and House members wrote a letter to President Biden sharing their concerns over the increase of crabmeat imports from Venezuela.

The Maryland delegation urged President Biden to launch an investigation through the International Trade Commission into the potential harm the imports could have on the Chesapeake Bay seafood economy.

“We write to express our significant concerns with the influx of crabmeat from Venezuela, which has threatened the viability of local fisheries across the Chesapeake Bay...

Russian King Crab Price Rises by JPY1000/kg; Hokkaido Caught Bairdi Crab May Increase Sales

This year, the price of new frozen king crab from the Russian Far East will likely be high. According to several trading companies, the offered price to Japan for raw and boiled section products rose to $45-44/kg as of early September, 50-60% higher than in early November last year. The domestic sales price this winter (trading company price) is expected to be in the upper to mid-7,000 yen/kg ($46.93/kg)...

Russian Government Plans to Keep Duties on Exports of Domestic Fish, Seafood

The Russian government plans to keep the existing duties on exports of domestic fish and seafood despite criticism from local fishermen.

According to recent calculations of the Russian Association of Fishing Fleet Owners (AFFO), from the beginning of October 2023 to the end of September 2024, the overall duties paid on the export of pollock, cod, haddock and crab products from Russia may amount to more than 19.2 billion rubles, which is a big figure for the industry...

Bering Sea Snow, Tanner, and Bristol Bay Red King Crab TACs Announced, Season Opens Oct. 15

Bering Sea Snow crab will be open for the first time since 2021/22 and increased total allowable catches (TACs) will be in place for Bering Sea Tanner and Bristol Bay Red King Crab when seasons open for all three on Tuesday, October 15. The TACs, and evidence of the start of snow crab stock rebuilding are the results of last summer's trawl surveys conducted by NOAA Fisheries. 

Bering Sea Snow Crab

TAC for Bering Sea Snow Crab was set at 4.72 million pounds ...

Russian Fish Exports in Steady Decline Throughout 2024

Fish exports from Russia are steadily declining due to the ongoing pressure from sanctions and the existing import duties on Russian fish in the EU and the UK. In the first half of 2024, Russian exports dipped 7% in volume, year-on-year. Through eight months, that figure has dipped 13% lower from 2023.

As Artem Daushev, assistant to the head of the Russian agricultural regulator Rosselkhoznadzor, said during the recent International Fishery Industry Forum in Russia,

"The volume of fish exports from Russia in January-August 2024...

AK Bering Sea Crabber’s Jamie Goen Appointed to Seat on North Pacific Council

Alaska’s crab industry hasn’t had much good news lately, but early last week, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that Jamie Goen, executive director of the Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers Association (ABSC) was picked to serve on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC). Goen has advocated for science-based management and sustainable fishery practices for most of her career, and for Alaska crab specifically since she was hired to lead ABSC in 2018. 

Goen's appointment follows the untimely death of Kenny Down, a highly respected advocate ...

ANALYSIS: Crab Meat Imports Drop Over 25 Percent in June

After months of higher imports, June 2024 is down significantly for crab meat imports into the U.S. The month is down 31.6 percent as compared to May 2024. However, year-to-date imports continue higher, up 16.5 percent. Outside of 2022, crab meat imports are topping the highest levels seen in recent years. When looking strictly at pasteurized and fresh crab meat products, through June 2024 it’s the second highest volume of imports on record—again behind 2022.

When looking further at the breakdown of...

Crustacean Boom: Mid-Year Market Trends of King and Snow Crab

Data covering global king and snow crab for the first half of 2024 has been released, revealing that demand remains strong in both the live and frozen crab sectors, despite economic difficulties in major markets.  

The U.S. continues to import snow crab at a robust pace with 91 million pounds imported through June. Overall, snow crab from all sources have increased by 18%. Compared to 2023, snow crab imports from Canada have surged by 19%, now representing 90% of all...

Price Setting Changes and Strike Options Highlight NL’s Snow Crab Fishery Reform

The Newfoundland and Labrador government has mapped out 10 decisions and directions that pave the way for sweeping changes to the massive snow crab fishery. This includes notable changes to the price-setting process and the potential for lockouts and strikes.

Gerry Byrne, NL’s Minister of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture, said the plan to overhaul the fishery would ensure “management, efficiency, and fairness” in a statement released ahead of his appearance at the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) union Triannual Convention on November 18...

NCLA Challenges Washington State's GPS Monitoring of Crab Fishermen in Court

The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) has filed a lawsuit against the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Electronic Monitoring Program. This program uses GPS tech to track the location and movements of every state-licensed boat fishing for Coastal Dungeness crab, regardless of whether it is actively fishing or not.

The NCLA said the program is sustained by making fishermen pay for the electronic monitoring systems they must install on their boats, or else they face criminal sanctions...

Commercial Bay Crabbing Closure in Southern Oregon Clouds Ocean Crab Season Opening

Oregon agencies announced Thursday that bay crabbing is closed from Cape Blanco, near Port Orford, to the California border due to biotoxin levels above the safety threshold.

The Oregon Departments of Agriculture and Fish and Wildlife said domoic acid levels in Dungeness crab viscera exceeded the levels of safety. The closure also affects recreational fisheries and applies to both Dungeness and red rock crab harvested from bays and estuaries.

Commercial bay crab fisheries are relatively small in volume compared to ocean fisheries, but the ...

A Look at the Top 10 Most Consumed Seafood Items in 2022

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) debuted its annual Top 10 List of the most consumed seafood in 2022. NFI’s list comes shortly after NOAA Fisheries unveiled its Fisheries of the U.S. 2022 Report, which saw Americans consume roughly 19.7 pounds of seafood, a slight downturn from the 20.5 pounds seen in 2021.

Shrimp topped the Top 10 List once again despite a minor decrease in consumption. Salmon finished in second place, and it also witnessed a slight drop in consumption. In third place was canned tuna, which saw...

The Season's First Opilio Snow Crab Fetched JPY 2.8 Million per Crab on the Japan Sea Coast

Snow crab fishing, a seasonal winter feature in the Sea of ​​Japan, was opened simultaneously in Japan Sea coastal prefectures on November 6. In the Tajima region of Hyogo Prefecture, which boasts one of the most significant catch volumes in the country, crab boats sailed out from four ports, two of which held their first auctions on the same day. The highest price was for a hardshell male crab, known by a regional brand, Matsubagani, landed at Hamasaka Fishing Port, selling...

Nissui to Import 35 Tons of U.S. King Crabs at Record Domestic Price

Bristol Bay king crab's domestic wholesale price for both cooked and raw frozen has reached a new record high. Cooked brine-frozen (No. 1) and raw frozen are 16,000 yen/kg ($103.81/kg), 20-30% higher than last year. Nissui plans to import 35 tons of cooked and raw frozen crabs (47 tons last year). Several Japanese trading companies import Bristol Bay king crabs every year, but this year, as with last year when prices were high, it is believed that only Nissui is importing...

West Coast Crabbers Getting Ready for Dungeness Season Despite CA Season Delay

Dungeness crab pots are being trailered in to ports from California Washington. Shiny new pots or pots that have been repaired and refreshed, ready for dumping the Pacific for one of the most valuable seafood species on the West Coast.

But before that happens, the industry must jump through the entanglement, biotoxin testing and meat quality hoops

Already, crabbers will miss the Nov. 15 traditional start date in Central California due to risks of whale entanglements. California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham  announced ...

Russia to Boost Fish Exports to $8.85 Billion by 2030 Amid Declining Stocks and Rising Competition

Russia plans to increase its fish exports to US$8.85 billion by 2030, although declining commercial stocks and the ever-growing competition in world markets could complicate their implementation.

Implementation of these plans will be part of the more significant target set by the Russian government, which is to increase exports of all agricultural products by 1.5 times by 2030.

According to Rosrybolovstvo data, in 2023, fishermen exported fish and seafood worth a total of $5.8...

Norwegian Salmon Exports Strong in Q3 Despite Headwinds; Farmed Cod Outpaces Wild-Caught

The Norwegian Seafood Council said it just wrapped up the best third quarter ever for seafood exports.

“Thanks to a historically high export value in September, we have put behind us the best third quarter ever. This time there is virtually no currency effect from a weak Norwegian krone, since we are comparing with the same period last year. High volumes of salmon, trout, mackerel and prawns are driving up the export value," said Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council...

Washington Looks to Update Dungeness Crab Policy to Address Entanglements, Climate Change

As part of the three West Coast states’ efforts to further limit potential entanglements and more easily identify entangled whales, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is updating its policies related to crabbing.

The public is invited to review and submit comments on the draft Coastal Dungeness Crab policy through Oct. 15. 

Dungeness crabs support Washington’s most valuable commercial fishery, as well as popular recreational fisheries. The value of state landings for the 2023-24 coastal commercial Dungeness crab season was $66.8 million, according to ...

Nearly $40 Million in Disaster Funding Allocated for ’23-24 Bering Sea Snow Crab Fishery

The U.S. Secretary of Commerce announced that $39.5 million in funding will address a fishery resource disaster that occurred in the Alaska Bering Sea Snow Crab Fishery from 2023 to 2024.

“As climate change continues to have severe impacts on the fisheries and ecosystems that are vital to Alaska’s economy, the Department of Commerce remains committed to providing disaster relief across the state,” said Secretary Raimondo. “This funding will help Alaskans recover from the Bering Sea Snow Crab Fishery disaster...

Record U.S. Snow Crab Imports Surge Amid Strong Demand

Canada has harvested nearly 100,000 metric tons of snow crab during the 2024 season. Favorable prices have driven strong demand in the U.S., with the May imports of snow crab reaching a record 35.152 million pounds. This is the highest monthly total since 2019. The pace of U.S. snow crab imports from all sources exceeds the record-setting pace of 2023.

Through July the U.S. imports of snow crab from all sources have reached a record 110 million pounds, representing a 3.7% increase compared to last year. Canada remains the dominant...

Tsukiji Kanisho Offers Low Priced Barents Sea King Crab and Snow Crab for Year-End Sales

Tsukiji Kanisho of Tokyo has the largest share of crab traded in Japan and is aggressively promoting king crab and snow crab from the Arctic Ocean and Barents Sea for the year-end sales. The new catch of Far East snow crab is expensive, and due to the weak yen, the price has risen to about double what it was last year. King crab is also expected to be expensive, and "it is expected to rise to about twice the...

NL Fisheries Minister Expresses Snow Crab Market Concerns Following Charge Against Quinlan Bros.

All eyes are once again on the snow crab industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

In late July charges were laid against Quinlan Brothers Ltd. of Bay de Verde for “processing dead snow crab and moving snow crab while under detention.” Robin Quinlan, President of Quinlan Brothers, was quick to respond to the charges in a press conference hosted by the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP). Quinlan and ASP say that the charges highlight issues around snow crab inspection regulations and quality...