Unalaska, AK – The Bristol Bay red king crab season has been open for about two and a half weeks now, and approximately 6 million pounds have been landed. The total allowable catch for the IFQ fishery is 13.4 million pounds, and boats are expected to reach the halfway point within a week.

Forrest Bowers, management biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, compares these numbers to last year.

"This time last year, we had about 7 million pounds landed," says Bowers. "The total allowable catch was a little bit larger in 2009. The fisheries are proceeding at a reasonable pace, but somewhat slower than 2009."

Additionally, catch rates have been averaging about 20 legal crabs per pot lift, which is lower than last year. In 2009, the catch rate was approximately 22 legal crabs per pot lift at this time in the season. But, while the quota and catch rates are a little bit lower than last year, the ex-vessel price is substantially higher than last year at $6.25 per pound.

Sixty-four boats registered for this season, and sixty of those vessels are still out fishing. Bowers says that while the season feels a little slower than last year, it's actually keeping a pace given the lower quota.

"The majority of the harvest should be in by November," says Bowers. "There may still be some fishing going on in early-to-mid December. Occasionally, we'll have landings in January, but it's uncommon to have red king crab deliveries after January 1."

The season officially closes on January 15.