A commissioner’s permit Tanner crab fishery is set to open in the eastern and western districts of Prince William Sound from March 1 to March 31, barring early closure due to conservation measures, Alaska Department of Fish and Game officials said.
A maximum of 50 pots may be operated by participating vessels. Pot tags are required and may be acquired from ADF&G offices in Homer or Cordova.
Additional gear restrictions may be defined as necessary and, depending on the number of permits issued, the pot limit may be adjusted, ADF&G management biologists in Homer said.
In order to apply, harvesters will need a valid 2018 Commerce Fisheries Entry Commission interim use permit card for Prince William Sound Tanner crab and inform ADF&G of an established market for the harvest.
Prince William Sound is a superexclusive registration area for Tanner crab, so operators of a Tanner crab vessel validly registered for a superexclusive registration area may not operate any other Tanner crab vessel registered for any other superexclusive registration area in the same registration year.
Unless otherwise specified in the permit, all provisions of Tanner crab regulations must be adhered to, including size limits and pot marking requirements. Only male Tanner crab five inches or greater in width of shell may be taken or possessed.
Vessels must check in with ADF&G staff in Homer prior to each fishing trip and allow adequate time for deployment of ADF&G personnel acting as onboard observers when required.
All vessels must have a current U.S. Coast Guard safety decal and inspected life raft that can accommodate all of those onboard.
Costs associated with accommodating an observer will be the responsibility of the vessel.
Daily call-in and completed log sheets are mandatory for this fishery.
For additional information call the Homer ADF&G office at 1-907-235-8191.
