Red king crab. KUCB file photo.

This week the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced catch limit numbers for the upcoming red king crab and tanner crab seasons.

The 2015/2016 Bristol Bay red king crab total allowable catch is 9.974 million pounds.

Of that total, 8.976 million pounds are allowed under the individual fishing quota. Just under a million are allowed under the community development quota.

The Commercial Fisheries Division said there are enough mature female tanner crabs in area waters to support a total allowable catch of over eleven million pounds. The total allowable catch east of 166° W longitude is 11,272,000 pounds. The total allowable catch west of 166° W longitude is 8,396,000 pounds.  

To protect the Pribilof blue king crab stock, officials have closed certain areas to fishing this season.  F&G staff will provide a map of the closed area upon vessel registration.

Starting October 12, Alaska Fish and Game will offer preseason gear inspections in Dutch Harbor. Vessel registration begins at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

There is no crab pot limit or buoy tag requirement for the red king crab fishery, but vessel operators are limited to 10 groundfish pots for bait. Tanner crab fishers can register up to 20 groundfish pots.

The crab fishing season opens next week at noon on October 15.