2007/08 Bering Sea King Crab, Snow Crab Quotas

 

The Bering Sea king crab and snow crab fisheries began October 15.

The 2007/08 king crab total allowable catch (TAC) has been set at 20.3 million pounds, a 31 percent increase over the 2006 quota. Recent trade press coverage indicates fishermen accepted a price of $4.20 a pound, up from the average ex-vessel price of $3.84 per pound in 2006.

The Bering Sea snow crab quota increased by 73 percent, from 36 million pounds in 2006/07 to 63 million pounds in 2007/08. The snow crab fishery officially opens October 15, but harvesting effort typically does not start until January. No price estimates are available at this time.

While the snow crab quota hike represents a major increase for Alaska producers, the effect on market supply of snow crab will be less significant. In the 2006/07 season, North America snow crab harvest (Canada and Alaska) totaled approximately 205 million pounds. Alaska produced 36 million pounds, about 18 percent of the total.
Canada snow crab quotas for the 2007/08 season are not yet available, but if the Canadian quota is similar to the 2006/07 season, total North America harvest would be on the order of 230 million pounds, representing an increase of 12 percent. However, if the declining quota trend continues for Canadian snow crab, market supply may end up at or near levels of the 2006/07 season.