The second week of October kicks off the Alaska King crab season, followed by the Bairdi and Opilio seasons. On October 15th at noon 12:00 AKT, pots hit the water and fishing for a little over 23 million pounds of Alaska crab begins. In an advisory announcement last week, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game released this year’s total allowable catch (TAC) for the following major crab stocks:
2025/26 Total Allowable Catch (TAC)
| Bristol Bay Red King Crab | 2.68 M lb |
| Snow Crab | 9.30 M lb |
| Eastern Bairdi | 1.13 M lb |
| Western Bairdi | 10.12 M lb |
It was positive reports out of Alaska regarding the overall crab population. Surveys of the fishing grounds saw increased biomass and good signs of recruitment (the amount of female and juvenile male crabs). In turn, we saw increases for total allowable catch across all species. The Eastern Bairdi fishery did see a modest decline from 2024/25, but combined the Bairdi fishery is the largest we’ve seen in a decade.
What is TAC?
The total allowable catch is the total amount of crab (in pounds) that can be harvested during the commercial fishing season in Alaska. This number is carefully calculated by models that rely on the most recent crab population data to determine a safe exploitation level. Every summer, Alaska state biologists and the National Marine Fisheries Service conduct surveys in the fishing grounds to gather this information and run the models. After thorough analysis, the state determines the TAC. This process ensures that the resource doesn’t get overfished, and the fishery is managed in a way that prioritizes sustainability and responsible harvesting. There is also a 10% TAC allocation to the Community Development Quota. This program provides remote western Alaska communities the opportunity to participate in the fisheries and support their economic development.
What to Expect This Season
The Alaska King crab TAC has steadily increased, up 25% from when it reopened during the 2023/24 season. As mentioned earlier, the Bairdi and Opilio fishery has also made a large comeback, nearly double the size this year compared to last. With more crab to be caught, there will be more Alaskan product on the market. The Keyport crew is working hard to land and processes crab as fast as possible. To secure some of this season’s harvest, get in touch with our crab experts or submit a quote request from our website!