Purpose and Need

The 1995 NMFS bottom trawl survey indicated that exploitable biomass of Bristol Bay red king crab is at about one-fifth record levels.  The stock was at its lowest level since the fishery was closed after the first stock collapse in 1983.  In 1994 and 1995, Bristol Bay was closed to red king crab fishing because the number of female red king crab had declined below the threshold of 8.4 million crab.   In addition, the annual trawl surveys indicated little prospect for increased recruitment of mature males or females, and low female spawning biomass.  The purpose of Amendment 37 was to reduce the impacts of groundfish fisheries on the red king crab stock, thus assisting recovery of this crab stock .

Analysis

A 268-page EA/RIR/IRFA (final draft dated June 21, 1996) was prepared for this amendment.  Three primary management measures were analyzed, each having at least three alternatives, including the status quo, as well as several options. The other alternatives and options not chosen would have defined slightly different time/area closures, and established PSC limits of 180,000 crabs or a PSC limit that fluctuated annually with crab abundance. The alternative chosen was more conservative because a larger area may offer more protection.

Regulation Summary

Amendment 37 implemented the following measures:

 (1) A year round bottom trawl closure in the Bristol Bay Red king Crab Savings Area to directed fishing for groundfish by vessels using non-pelagic trawl gear.  The southern edge of the Savings Area between 56 and 5610 N. lat., however, would open if a guideline harvest level for Bristol Bay red king crab is established.  A portion of the annual PSC limit would be specified for the subarea;

  (2)  A year round closure to all trawling in the nearshore waters of Bristol Bay, with the exception that a portion of this area- between 159 and 160W. long. and between 58 and 5843' N. lat. - would remain open to trawling during the period April 1 to June 15 each year;

  (3)  Increased observer coverage on all vessels, including vessels using pot, jig, and longline gear fishing for groundfish in the Savings Area and on trawl vessels fishing in the seasonal open area of the Bristol Bay nearshore waters closure; and 

  (4)  Adjustments to the Zone 1 PSC limit for red king crab taken in trawl fisheries.  The PSC limit would be specified annually based on the abundance and biomass of Bristol Bay red king crab.

Results

Since the amendment was approved, bycatch of red king crab has been greatly reduced, and the Bristol Bay red king crab stock has rebuilt to levels that supported directed crab fisheries in 1996-1999, but is again declining due to lack of recruitment.  In 1998, the Council adopted a provision to reduce the bycatch limit by an additional 3,000 red king crab as part of the regulation prohibiting the use of bottom trawl gear for pollock fisheries (Amendment 57).