
Kotzebue Sound crab opener set for June 15 with no buyers registered
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will open the 2026 summer commercial red king crab fishery in Kotzebue Sound at noon Monday, June 15, with a 10,000-pound harvest limit, but no buyers have registered for the season. Participants must obtain their own market permit or catcher-seller permit to participate.
The fishery is restricted to state waters only under 5 AAC 34.910 (f)(1)(A)(i). Federal waters beyond three miles from shore remain closed to commercial fishing.
Permit holders must register with the Kotzebue or Nome Fish and Game offices to obtain crab pot tags. All participants must have stopped other commercial or subsistence pot fishing by June 1 to be eligible.
Vessels over 125 feet are limited to 50 pots. Vessels 125 feet or less are limited to 40 pots.
The department said the 10,000-pound guideline harvest level is not expected to negatively impact subsistence activities in the region.
The opening notice was published June 11, 2026, and affects fishers operating in Kotzebue Sound and nearby West Arctic waters.
Sources
Based on: View Transcript
AI-assisted, reviewed by editors. Spot an error?
Related Coverage
Nome subsistence salmon fishers face new weekly schedule, 25-fish limits
Alaska News · 1mo ago · 8 views · 81% match
ADF&G opens six Kodiak sections to commercial fishing, bans large Chinook retention
Alaska News · 4d ago · 10 views · 80% match
Bristol Bay fishery opens under old rules as new regs stall in review
Alaska News · 4d ago · 3 views · 80% match
ADF&G opens Copper River drift gillnet fishery Thursday for 24 hours
Alaska News · 1w ago · 80% match
Norton Sound king salmon fishing closed for the season
Alaska News · 1w ago · 2 views · 79% match
Comments
Sign in to leave a comment.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.