When Is King Crab Season in Alaska?

Because of the risks involved in crab fishing, these crustaceans can often be the most dangerous game.

Fishermen have the second most dangerous job in the country, according to CNN. Much of that is due to crab fishing, an extremely perilous job that takes place in Arctic climates and requires operating dangerous machinery. For crab fishermen, much of this has to do with the length of the season and when it takes place.

Crab Fishing Season

Alaska, one of the hubs of crab fishing, has a crab fishing season that takes place during three to four weeks every winter in the Bering Strait. The season is based on an individual fisherman's quota, not on specific dates.

Climate

Much of peril in crab fishing is due to the conditions. Boats trawl hundreds of miles from populated places where they might request aid. That far out in the Bering Strait, storms and ice are implacable enemies. Sometimes boats even sink from collecting too much ice.

Length of Season

The short window of opportunity, not more than a month, that crab fishermen have to lure in the biggest catch can also be hazardous. According to CNN, fishermen work under exhausting circumstances in such a hostile climate, often working 40 out of every 50 hours on the job. These are, University of Alaska economist Gunnar Knapp told CNN, "some of the worst conditions on Earth."

References

• CNNMoney: America's Most Dangerous Jobs