Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

1 billion Alaskan snow crabs vanished and scientists are blaming climate change

Alaska has canceled its snow crab season for the first time ever: Here's what it all means

In a turn that can only described as unprecedented, officials have canceled the 2022 Alaska snow crab season. It’s a first for the fishery and a major sign that climate change is altering the ocean as we know it. According to the EPA, the crabs, along with other cold-water Bering Sea species like Pacific halibut, have been moving farther out to sea since the 1980s.

Scientists and state officials have been monitoring populations for some time. According to The Guardian, last year’s snow crab harvest was one of the smallest in four decades. While this is the first time the snow crab catch has been halted, it’s almost become the new norm for other species. The fall king crab season was canceled in both 2021 and 2022. Those in the know project that billions (yes, with a “b”) of snow crabs have vanished from their usual Bering Sea spots.

Seattle Public Market Fish Stand with Crab Legs.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Overfishing and disease may be factors but Michael Litzow, the Kodiak lab director for NOAA Fisheries, told CNN that climate change “caused the collapse.” Warmer weather has been more dramatic in the Arctic and is dramatically changing the oceanic environment there. Melting ice caps, warmer water temperatures, and changes in the ocean’s chemistry have all combined to push the crustaceans out. Experts estimate a decline in the snow crab population to the tune of 90 percent over the last several years. That means the fishery has gone from some 8 billion snow crabs to 1 billion between 2018 and now.

Recommended Videos

The hope, of course, is to ease outside pressure and allow the population to rebound. Unfortunately, this will almost certainly put many in the fishing community out of work. And, without a snow crab season, seafood restaurants will suffer as well. Seafood is Alaska’s largest export, bringing in some $3.3 billion annually. Perhaps that’s no surprise, given that Alaska has the most coastline of any U.S. state, by far.

Snow crabs are one of the most important commercially fished species in the state. The only Alaskan species that tend to produce more catch weight per year are Dungeness and king crab. Snow crabs and prized for their meaty physique and tend to live in the cold waters of places like Alaska and Maine. The canceled catch will likely cause many outfits in the area to go out of business. As reported, the Alaska Bearing Sea Crabbers (ABSC) is a pretty small, tight-knit organization of some 60 vessels equipped to handle the notoriously treacherous sea and harvest crabs. Many are family-run.

The cancellation was formally announced on Monday by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. There’s a smaller bairdi crab (a different sub-species of snow crab) catch that some may go for instead, but all in all, without snow crab this year, it’s going to be a long winter for Alaskan crabbers. Worse, it’s one more dramatic example of climate change wreaking havoc; another call to arms for politicians and lawmakers to exact some real, imminently needed change.

Experts will monitor conditions going forward, opening fisheries accordingly. There’s a good chance that there will be a significant pause to allow the population to rebound. That, and the better crabbing zones will likely continue to push north. As big fans of both crab and Alaska, we hope the community can find other resources, get some federal aid, and actively participate in efforts to curb global warming.

Mark Stock
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…
Mezcal isn’t just smoky tequila — and other myths debunked
It's to debunk the biggest mezcal myths
Mezcal

While tequila has been popular forever, mezcal has only found its time in the proverbial sun in the last few decades. It all started in the early aughts when social media and celebrity brands began to hit the market. It's still gaining in popularity thanks to the rise of cocktail culture and drinkers' enthusiasm for traditional and artisanal spirits.

Like with all spirits, I didn't fully understand mezcal right away. It took time (and sampling of many mezcals) to learn the ins and outs of this agave-based spirit. I also learned that, like all spirits, it's not without its myths and misconceptions.

Read more
Not all doom for wine: New report shows premium bottles are having a moment
Bad news for Two Buck Chuck, great news for Chandon
Collection of wine corks

We live in convulsive times, and the wine industry is no exception: Caught in the terrible trifecta of climate change, historically low worldwide consumption numbers, and steep tariffs, the market has taken some serious hits of late. And, although global wine sales continues its downward trend, It’s not all bad news. Based on the latest numbers, we’re getting a glimpse of not only a difficult first quarter for the wine market, but some positive emergent trends regarding online buying and premium wines. 

Let’s start with the bad news first, just to get it out of the way.

Read more
What is sparkling coffee? A dietitian’s take on this fizzy coffee trend
All about this new coffee trend
sparkling coffee

Coffee typically isn't a drink you'd think of as "fizzy," but the new sparkling coffee trend begs to differ. Sometimes referred to as a "coffee soda," sparkling coffee offers a new way for coffee drinkers to enjoy their morning brew while taking advantage of potential health benefits. Sparkling coffee is trending all over Instagram and TikTok, but what exactly is sparkling coffee, and is it just a gimmick?

Catherine Gervacio, a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a certified exercise nutrition coach, shares her thoughts on sparkling coffee and how it could help boost your health.

Read more