KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Due to a National Weather Service marine weather forecast issued at 4 a.m. Wednesday morning that includes gale warnings, tank inspections and the Tanner crab fisheries opening in the Northeast and Eastside sections of the Kodiak District will be delayed for at least 24 hours. A follow up announcement Thursday extended the delay.
Nick Sagalkin is an area management biologist for shellfish and groundfish in the Kodiak district.
— (Crab Delay 1 27 sec. "In regulation, there’s a provision … with larger vessels.")
Sagalkin said Fish and Game will continue to monitor the weather situation in making a decision on when it’s safe to open the fishery.
— (Crab Delay 2 34 sec. "The department looks at … until noon January 25th.")
According to Sagalkin, Fish and Game can continue to issue weather delays until January 25th, the mandatory date for the opening of the fishery, but he doesn’t expect the delay to last more than a couple of days.
— (Crab Delay 3 29 sec. "We’ll check the weather … the following day.")
Gale warnings mean that winds are at 35 knots or higher. If the Thursday morning marine weather forecast does not contain gale warnings, tank inspections will begin at noon on Thursday and the Tanner crab fishery will open at noon on Friday. If the Thursday morning forecast does indicate further gale warnings, tank inspection and the fishery opening will be delayed at least another 24 hours.
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