BSAI Crab Specifications

The final Norton Sound red king crab assessment was reviewed by the SSC, AP and Council in order to set catch specifications for the 2018 fishery. This stock has a separate specifications timing in order to accommodate the CDQ fishery which can open in early May. The stock is healthy and with an estimated mature male biomass for this stock slightly below its target level (B_{MSY proxy}= 4.82 million lbs) with an OFL calculated by the Tier 4b control rule. The Council adopted the 2018 Norton Sound Red King Crab SAFE chapter and an OFL of 0.43 million lbs and ABC of 0.35 million lbs (which used a 20% buffer from the OFL), as recommended by the SSC. The SSC also recommended the stock as a candidate for Tier 3 management. The stock is not overfished nor is overfishing occurring on this stock. Staff contact is Diana Stram.