Kodiak Tanner crab season starts on schedule

Kodiak’s Tanner crab season started Jan. 15 at noon. 

The Kodiak Crab Alliance Cooperative, which represents the fleet, agreed to ex-vessel prices between $3.50 and $3.70 per pound with the island’s processors over the weekend, according to fishermen. 

That’s a bit more than the price last year, when the season was delayed due to a “stand down.” Fishermen were initially offered $2.50 per pound, but negotiated their way up to $3.25 per pound in 2023. Prices were a record of more than $8 per pound in 2022. 

The Guideline Harvest Level this year is three million pounds – one of the biggest in decades. That means this year’s harvest could have a value of over $10 million when the season ends. This year, 130 vessels have registered to fish Tanners in Kodiak’s fishery, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Trident Seafoods also confirmed last week it would buy Tanners this year, after announcing last month it would sell its Kodiak facility.