The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) closed the commercial Tanner crab fishery in the Eastern Section of the South Peninsula District on Feb. 2 at 5:59 p.m. The closure was implemented through Emergency Order 4-S-08-25.

According to in-season catch reports, the harvest target for the Shumigan Subsection would be met by the time of closure, prompting the decision to halt commercial fishing in the area.

Fishermen are required to comply with gear regulations following the closure. All crab pots must be open and unbaited as of the shutdown time. Open and unbaited pots may be stored in waters deeper than 25 fathoms for up to 72 hours after closure. After this period, all pots must either be removed from the water or relocated to depths of 25 fathoms or less.

The latest closure followed a previous restriction in the Eastern Section’s Pavlof Subsection, where all waters west of 161°W longitude were closed to commercial Tanner crab fishing at 12:00 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2025.

For further details, fishermen and stakeholders can contact ADF&G in Kodiak at (907) 486-1840.

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