King crab is a highly prized crustacean, sought globally for its rich, flavorful meat. These marine animals inhabit specific environments across the world’s oceans. This article details the geographical spread of king crab, outlines the distinct locations of major species, and identifies principal commercial fishing areas.
Global Range of King Crab
King crabs primarily inhabit cold, deep ocean waters, adapting to environments with low temperatures. While present in all five oceans, the North Pacific Ocean is a significant natural range for many species, including the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.
Populations also exist in the Barents Sea in the Arctic Ocean. These habitats are characterized by cold temperatures, often ranging from -1.8 to 12.8°C.
Major King Crab Species and Their Locations
The Red King Crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) is a commercially significant species widely recognized and native to the cold waters of the North Pacific. Its range extends from the Bering Sea south to the Gulf of Alaska, and includes the Kamchatka Peninsula, Sea of Okhotsk, and Sea of Japan. In Alaska, major concentrations are found in Bristol Bay, Norton Sound, and around the Kodiak Archipelago. Red King Crabs typically inhabit shallower coastal waters, less than 60 meters deep, though they can be found at depths of 200 meters or more.
The Blue King Crab (Paralithodes platypus) has a more limited distribution compared to its red counterpart. Primary populations in Alaska are near the Pribilof Islands and St. Matthew Island in the Bering Sea, with others near the Diomede Islands, Point Hope, and Norton Sound. Blue King Crabs prefer deeper waters than red king crabs, often found at depths of 20 to 500 meters, typically on rocky substrates.
The Golden King Crab (Lithodes aequispinus), also known as the Brown King Crab, inhabits deep, cold waters. Its main range spans the Aleutian Islands and the Gulf of Alaska, with significant populations also found near the Pribilof and Shumagin Islands. This species commonly inhabits depths between 300 and 1000 meters, often favoring complex habitats such as soft corals and boulders. Golden King Crabs are found in deeper waters than both red and blue king crabs, and rarely co-exist in the same depth ranges.
Principal Commercial Fishing Areas
Commercial king crab harvesting occurs in several key global regions. Alaska is a primary location for king crab fisheries, with specific areas targeted for different species. Bristol Bay is a significant fishing ground for Red King Crab, while the Aleutian Islands are known for Golden King Crab harvests. The waters around St. Matthew Island and the Pribilof Islands support Blue King Crab fisheries. Alaskan king crab fishing typically operates on a seasonal basis, with regulations in place to manage the stock.
The Russian Far East is another major commercial fishing area. Key fishing grounds include the Okhotsk Sea and the Bering Sea, where Red, Blue, and Golden King Crabs are harvested. Russia is a significant exporter, with a substantial portion of the global supply originating from these waters.
In Europe, the Barents Sea, particularly off the coast of Norway, is an important commercial fishing zone for Red King Crab. This population originated from crabs introduced by the Soviet Union in the 1960s and has since spread westward along the Norwegian coast. Commercial fishing in the Barents Sea is regulated.