FOOD NEWS
Alaska Canceled Its Snow Crab Season For The First Time In History. Here's Why
By Camryn Teder
Many people anxiously await the Bering Sea snow crab season in Alaska each year, with some fisheries relying almost entirely on the success of the multimillion-dollar operation. Unfortunately, Alaska has now canceled its annual snow crab season for the first time, due to a very worrisome problem.
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, there was a staggering 90% reduction in the snow crab population in just two years. Over a billion crabs are estimated to be gone, marking this the most significant population decline in history.
The exact reasons for the decline are unclear, but researchers with the department speculate that multiple factors are to blame, including disease and rising water temperatures. Regardless of the reason, the economic impact on the fishermen has left some facing business closure.