Many wonder if Alaska’s cold, expansive waters are home to lobsters. Distinguishing between true lobsters and other large, edible crustaceans is important.
True Lobsters in Alaskan Waters
True lobsters, such as the American lobster (Homarus americanus) and the European lobster (Homarus gammarus), are not native to Alaskan waters. American lobsters are found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, from Labrador to Cape Hatteras, with highest concentrations from Maine through New Jersey. These lobsters prefer water temperatures between 15-18°C (59-64°F) and inhabit rocky areas or muddy bottoms. European lobsters are distributed across the northeast Atlantic, from Norway to North Africa, preferring shallow waters with rocky or hard mud substrates. Alaska’s consistently cold marine temperatures prevent their natural establishment.
Alaska’s Native “Lobsters”
While true lobsters do not inhabit Alaska, its waters are abundant with other large, commercially valuable crustaceans often colloquially called “lobsters” due to their size and culinary appeal. These include King Crab, Dungeness Crab, and Tanner Crab, each with distinct characteristics and habitats. King crabs are large, spiny crustaceans with long legs, not considered “true crabs.” Alaska has three primary commercially harvested types: Red King Crab, Blue King Crab, and Golden King Crab.
Red King Crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus) are the largest and most sought after, reaching 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) in leg span and up to 12.7 kilograms (28 pounds). They are found on the seafloor in deep waters of the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. Blue King Crabs (Paralithodes platypus) are rarer but large, weighing up to 8 kilograms (18 pounds) and displaying a bluish hue. They inhabit disjunct populations primarily in the Bering Sea, around St. Matthew and Pribilof Islands. Golden King Crabs (Lithodes aequispinus) are smaller, weighing 2 to 3.6 kilograms (5 to 8 pounds), with golden-orange shells, found in deeper waters around the Aleutian Islands.
Dungeness Crabs (Metacarcinus magister) have purple-tinged, grayish-brown backs and white-tipped claws, growing to 15-18 centimeters (6-7 inches) wide. These crabs are widely distributed from Alaska’s Aleutian Islands south to California, inhabiting eelgrass beds and sandy bottoms from the intertidal zone to over 90 meters (300 feet) deep. Tanner Crabs (Chionoecetes bairdi and Chionoecetes opilio), often marketed as “snow crab,” are smaller than king crabs, with mature males weighing 0.45 to 1.8 kilograms (1 to 4 pounds). They are true crabs with five pairs of legs, including pincers, found throughout the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea along continental shelves and coastal waters.
Harvesting and Commercial Significance
Harvesting these native Alaskan crustaceans represents a substantial industry, contributing millions to the state’s economy. Commercial fishing primarily uses large, steel-framed traps called pots, weighing 270-360 kilograms (600-800 pounds), baited and lowered to the seafloor. After soaking, typically one to two days for king crabs, these pots are retrieved using hydraulic winches. Only crabs meeting specific size and sex requirements are kept; undersized or female crabs are released back into the water to support population sustainability. Alaskan crab fishing seasons vary by species and location, with many open from October through February. Red King Crab season, for instance, runs from October to January in areas like Bristol Bay and the Bering Sea. Dungeness crab harvest is limited to males of a specific carapace size, and fishing is prohibited during mating and molting periods. This regulated approach ensures the long-term viability of these valuable fisheries, supplying a significant portion of the world’s crab.