Crabs of the Bering Sea

The red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus), also known as Alaskan king crab, is characterized by its gigantic size and its bright, deep red color. This is the main target of the Alaskan fisher fleet.

Before describing the actual crab, though, we must say that this kind of fishing is strictly controlled under standardized guidelines. It's sustainable fishing; both male and female crabs that don't reach a minimum size are immediately returned to the sea, and the quotas are highly restrictive.

The red king crab's shell can be 28 cm (11 inches) wide, and the total reach of its legs when spread can be of 1.80 meters (5'10''). This is the most valued species of crab in the world, and it's no surprise.

Image: http://www.arcticblue.as/

The blue king crab (Paralithodes platypus) is another very valuable species found in the Bering Sea, more particularly in St. Matthew Island and the Pribilof and Diomede Islands. As the name points out, they have a brown color with blue reflections.

This species can weigh up to 8 kg (18 pounds), and it's notable for having bigger pincers than all other crabs. It is more delicate than the red king crab, perhaps because it inhabits colder waters.

The snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) is another species of crab of the Bering Sea. It is much smaller than the king crabs described above, as they are only 15 cms (5.9 inches) wide.

Fishing snow crabs is especially dangerous, since it must be done in January, the harshest, coldest month in the Arctic winter. Therefore, fishing fleets are highly regulated by the authorities.

The bairdi crab (Chionoecetes bairdi), also called tanner crab, almost became extinct in the 1980s due to overfishing. Its fishing was banned until the 21st century, when harsh quotes were introduced. These strategies have helped the tanner crab population get back to almost normal levels.

The golden crab (Chaceon fenneri) is found near the Aleutian Islands. This species is also smaller than king crabs, with a shell or carapace 20 cm (almost 8 inches) wide. It is a very common crab of the Bering Sea, and it's notable for its beautiful golden orange shade.

The scarlet king crab (Lithodes couesi) is very rare and therefore very valued. It shouldn't be confused with the scarlet hermit crab, which is found in warmer climates.

It lives in deeper waters than the other king crabs, and its legs are very long. Its carapace is 11.5 cm (4.5 inches) wide.

The Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) is a much more common species, and it is found all across the American west coast beyond the Bering Sea. It is very important in the international market, as its flesh is supposedly very good.

Its carapace or shell is 20 cm (7.9 inches) wide, although it can be bigger than that.

The fishermen of the Bering Sea use fishing creels or baskets, only much bigger than your usual ones. These fishing creels are a kind of big, metallic cages. The bait - usually cod, although it can be other food - is placed inside. They're thrown into the water and gathered after 12 to 24 hours later.

Of course, each variety of crab is caught with different techniques and tools and at different depths and seasons. All fisher fleets must stay within their quota. Fishing vessels in the Bering Sea can face waves up to 12 meters (39'4'') high, along with temperatures of -30º C (-22º F). It really is a very dangerous job, and fishermen die every year.

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