ADF&G Reminds Crabbers of Observer Coverage for Pre-Season Registered Vessels
Alaska Department of Fish and Game officials on Sept. 27 issued a reminder that all vessels pre-season registered for the 2024-2025 Bristol Bay red king, Eastern and Western Bering Sea Tanner (bairdi), and Bering Sea snow (opilio) crab fisheries are selected for crab observer coverage.
Vessel selection does not imply a fishery will open during the upcoming 2024-2025 season. Fishery information is to be announced by subsequent ADF&G advisory announcements.
Observers for catcher vessels is being provided by state-contracted observer company Saltwater Inc.
Vessel operators or authorized agents are responsible for contacting Saltwater to coordinate observer coverage, to include notifying Saltwater if you choose to not participate in the fisheries.
Saltwater may be contacted at (907) 539-2548.
ADF&G is expected to deploy observers during the 2024-25 rationalized crab season consistent with the partial coverage deployment objectives for each fishery defined in state regulation (5 AAC 39.645 (c)(d)). Vessels not selected for observer coverage will be issued an observer coverage waiver.
ADF&G said that failure to provide Saltwater a minimum of 10 days’ advance notice prior to vessel departure may delay fishing operations or result in enforcement action.
All vessels selected are required to carry an observer for the entire trip into designated fisheries.
Catcher vessel observer deployment costs would be paid for using a combination of ADF&G and federal cost-recovery funding. Processing vessels arrange and pay for their own observer coverage. Catcher-processor vessels may receive reimbursement from ADF&G for up to 30% of observer deployment costs for Bristol Bay red king, Bering Sea Tanner and Bering Sea snow crab.
Observers would be equipped with their own rain gear, boots, gloves, immersion suit, personal locator beacon, personal flotation device and personal items.
