It is reported that billions of crabs and crustaceans have disappeared from Bering Strait near Alaska . Among them, the number of snow crabs has dropped sharply by about 7 billion. "The number of snow crabs has dropped sharply from about 8 billion in 2018 to about 1 billion in 2021," said Benjamin Daly, a researcher at the Alaska Department of Fishing and Hunting (ADFG).
Affected by this, Alaska, the United States recently announced the cancellation of this year's snow crab fishing activity, which is also the first time Alaska has cancelled snow crab fishing activity in history. The Alaska Fishing and Hunting Department noted that this would have a “very obvious” substantial impact on local fishermen, but the relevant departments must balance the relationship between these impacts and the sustainability of crab populations. At the same time, due to the supply and demand relationship, this will have a great impact on the US catering industry.
7 billion snow crabs disappeared, overfishing or climate change?
It is understood that snow crabs usually live in waters such as Bering Sea , Beaufort Sea , Chukchi Sea , etc. Benjamin said that by far, snow crabs are the most commercially caught species among Bering Sea crabs. "So the disappearance of billions of snow crabs is worth noting," he explained.
It is reported that officials use overfishing as a reason to cancel related fishing activities. According to survey data from 2021 to 2022, the number of mature male snow crabs has decreased by about 40%. Mark Sticchert, coordinator for benthic fish and shellfish fisheries management in Alaska’s Fishing and Hunting Department, said snow crabs are fishing beyond their natural replacement rate, “it’s very terrible.”
↑The number of snow crabs in Alaska sharply dropped by 7 billion
However, some experts believe that climate change caused by artificial activities is an important reason for the rapid disappearance of snow crabs. Michael Litzow, director of the Kodiak Laboratory under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said in an interview that it is not overfishing that leads to a sharp decline in the number of snow crabs. "Climate change caused by humans is an important reason for the rapid disappearance of snow crabs."
According to him, snow crabs are cold water species, and most of them live in areas with water temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius. As global climate warms , sea water temperatures rise and sea ice melts, the ocean waters around Alaska are becoming less suitable for the species to live. According to reports from scientists, temperatures near the Arctic warming four times faster than elsewhere on Earth, and climate warming has rapidly reduced sea ice in the Arctic, especially the Bering Sea near Alaska, which in turn amplifies global warming.
"Previous studies have observed the specific temperature of the Bering Sea and its ice sheet in 2018, and the results show that the temperature changes in the Bering Sea area are the result of global warming ." Michael explained. Benjamin also believes that the disappearance of snow crabs is related to climate problems. He said: "Their living environment is changing rapidly. We have seen the response of cold water species to warming the Bering Sea waters. The two are obviously related."
In addition, there are also voices that believe that the rapid disappearance of snow crabs may be related to some fulminant disease.
Ethan Nichols, a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Hunting, who assisted regional management, believes that stopping fishery activities and conducting continuous research is the main task of restoring the total number of fisheries at present. Mark is a little optimistic about the future of the snow crab population, as some young snow crabs are slowly being born. However, it takes three to four years from the birth of snow crabs to maturity and helping the population regenerate. Michael believes that this is just a hint of optimism. He said: "The climate warms a little every year, and Arctic ecosystem and high-latitude ecosystems are more variable. Therefore, if we can have a cooler period, it may be good news for the snow crab race."
fishermen are at risk of unemployment, and crab prices have risen
. It has been reported that last year, the fishing volume of snow crabs was 2,540 tons, the lowest in nearly 40 years. A city in Alaska lost nearly $3 million in tax revenue after 2021's "the worst crab fishing season of 40 years," accounting for half of the city's budget.Jamie Goen, executive director of the Alaska Bering Crab Crabs, the industry association, said that the cancellation of fishing will have a great impact on crabfishers, "Our third-generation fishermen are about to fall." According to him, many fishing boats operate in families, and now fishermen are losing their jobs, which is a "destructive" blow. “It’s really an unprecedented and unsettling time for Alaska’s iconic crab fishery and the fishermen who make a living from it,” he said. Dean Gribble Sr, a fisherman who has worked in the area since the 1970s, also said that canceling fishing could change people’s lives and even end their careers.
↑Affected by the supply and demand relationship, the price of crabs in restaurants has been rising
There are also reports that the news of canceling fishing activities will also have a great impact on the US catering industry. It is understood that Alaska is an important supply site for the US seafood market, providing about 60% of seafood. Due to the supply and demand relationship, the price of crabs in restaurants has been rising. Pennsylvania owner of a seafood restaurant Chris Sarajian introduced: "Usually, products that sell $30 will rise to $50, and we can't make a penny from it."
It is also reported that in addition to snow crabs, red king crabs will also suspend fishing for the second consecutive year. According to reports, this is because the number of mature female crabs is very low, and mature female crabs are an important indicator to measure the long-term decline in the number of this species. Benjamin said at least 8.4 million mature female crabs need to be found to ensure a bumper harvest, and although the survey results in 2022 increased compared with 2021, they still have not reached the corresponding level.
Red Star News Reporter Li Jinrui
Editor Ren Zhijiang Editor Xiao Ziqi
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