Crab: Snow

Snow crab, Alaska snow crab, Tanner crab, Queen crab, Spider crab

Kani

Snow crabs are found on deep sandy/muddy seafloor habitats throughout the northern hemisphere (Atlantic and Pacific). Snow crab is caught commercially with baited traps (also called pots) at depths ranging from 50 to 280m. The fishery for this species has sustainability concerns associated with bycatch of undersized and soft-shell crabs, however actions are being taken including soft-shell protocols, improved observer coverage and reduced quotas in some areas.

Fresh snow crab is available during the fishing season from May to September and frozen products are available year round.

Snow crabs are fecund, but mature relatively late. The harvest is limited to large males but there is a 25% mortality rate from capture stress of all crabs released, warranting a “moderate” ranking.

Snow crab populations in the Bering Sea are rebuilding from a moderate population abundance, despite their previous decreasing long-term trend. They are considered to have a moderate ranking. Tanner crabs in the Bering Sea are at high levels and are steadily increasing in abundance, and are considered to be of low concern.

Bycatch in snow crab fisheries includes females, sub-legal males, and non-target crab species. Bycatch has decreased over the last ten years, and is now at very low levels and does not have a significant impact on bycatch species populations. There is no evidence of substantial ecosystem impacts of bycatch discard.

The Alaska fishery has low habitat damage associated with the use of pots for snow crabs. The effects of removing many snow crabs have unknown ecosystem consequences which rank habitat effects as a “moderate” conservation concern.

The Alaska fishery has low habitat damage associated with the use of pots for snow crabs. The effects of removing many snow crabs have unknown ecosystem consequences which rank habitat effects as a “moderate” conservation concern.

What kind of crab is this?

How was it caught?

Adults and children can safely eat more than 4 meals per month + Low contaminant levels

No.