Tanner Crab Fishery Closes in Pavlof Bay, Jude Island in Eastern Section of South Peninsula

According to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), all waters between 161 degrees W. longitude and 162 degrees W. longitude in the Eastern Section of the South Peninsula District will close to Tanner Crab fishing at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2012. Catch reports indicate the harvest will approach survey estimates of allowable Tanner crab surplus. Further harvest is not warranted in order to protect the long-term health of Tanner crab in this area.

All pots within the closed area must be unbaited and doors open at the time of the closure. Unbaited pots may be stored in the closed area in waters deeper than 25 fathoms for 72 hours. After 72 hours, all pots remaining in the closed area must be removed from the water or placed in waters shallower than 25 fathoms. Vessel operators are not required to deliver crab harvested from the closed prior to targeting Tanner crab in other areas of the Eastern Section of the South Peninsula District that remain open to Tanner crab fishing.