After waiting for permits due to the U.S. Government shutdown, Alaska crab fishermen have finally gotten onto the water.
The 2013-2014 harvest season got underway this weekend for Bristol Bay red king and tanner crab, and Alaska Bering Sea snow crab. The season officially began on Friday, 18 October.
The 2013 total allowable catch (TAC) for the red king crab is up 9.5 percent to 8.6 million pounds this year. Tanner crab TAC is set at 3.1 million pounds, after the fishery was closed in 2012. For the Bering Sea snow crab, the TAC is down 19 percent from 2012 to 54 million pounds.
The government shutdown put the season on hold this year, as fishermen waited for federal employees to process fishing licenses.
Smaller Alaska crab fisheries, including Aleutian Island golden king crab, with a TAC of 6.29 million pounds and Norton Sound red king crab opened over the summer. Norton Sound's season ended on 14 September, with a total harvest of 391,863 pounds.
