Southeast's red king crab fishery breaks value records

Southeast Alaska’s red king crab fishery delivered its most economically successful season on record this fall, with 205,607 pounds harvested worth more than $5.3 million in ex-vessel value through early December.

The fishery, which opened November 1 across multiple management areas in northern Southeast, marked the region’s first opening since 2017 and saw 52 permit holders participate.

“I think overall, it went well,” said Adam Messmer, ADF&G’s Region I shellfish biologist, following last week’s Southeast King and Tanner Task Force meeting. The season came on the heels of summer stock assess...