adn.com | The Highliner : Let’s get it on

The Highliner

Commercial fishing is a bedrock industry in Alaska, and has been for more than a century. Every year scores of fishermen net millions of migrating salmon, challenge the icy Bering Sea to trap king crabs, lay miles and miles of baited hooks for halibut, and scoop up enough pollock for a zillion fish sticks. And when fishermen aren't out fishing, they're usually talking about fishing. That's what this blog is all about. Cast your net here for commercial fishing news and notes. And if you've got a bone to pick, post a comment.

About me:
I've pounded the commercial fishing beat for the Anchorage Daily News since 1999. I hail originally from Tennessee. I've never fished commercially, but I've spent much time as a journalist aboard boats and inside fish-processing plants. Of course, I'm a big consumer of Alaska seafood. One of my favorites: canned sockeye.

Contact Wesley Loy at wloy@adn.com.

Let’s get it on

Posted by The Highliner

Posted: October 15, 2008 - 11:29 am

Comments (0) |

A new crab fishing season opens at noon today in the Bering Sea.

So far, 52 boats have signed up. Most will be chasing Bristol Bay red king crab. The catch limit this season is 20.4 million pounds, the same as last season.

Laine Welch in Kodiak reports several processors have agreed to pay crabbers a tasty $5 a pound, reflecting improved demand for the enormous spiders.

After they clean up the king crabs, boats will start targeting snow crab and bairdi Tanner crab this winter.

It’s been several seasons since the “deadliest catch” has actually resulted in a dead crabber or sunken boat.

Here’s hoping the fishery stays safe again this season.

Good luck, boys!

login or register to post comments

By submitting your comment, you are agreeing to adn.com's user agreement.

Message to users on the new commenting solution

Edit your profile and avatar »