April 12th 5387
Today the Ministry of Fisheries has announced the closure of the 5387-5388 Winter Snow crab season. Due to a abnormally warm year in Kazulian and northern waters as a whole above Dovani the number of crabs has dropped especially for juvenile crabs which have dropped by 60%. The Arctic and Dovani Snow Crab population now stands at roughly 3 billion crab, last year it was roughly four times as much with 13 billion crab. Scientists are saying that major heat waves have struck off the Dovani Coast and the fisheries that are under constant monitoring by the Ministry of Fisheries. To protect the Kazulian commercial crabbing industry the Ministry of Fisheries has closed all commercial crabbing in the Northern Anantonese Ocean and the White Ocean. 3 subspecies of Snow Crab are under threat, The
Bersi Snow Crab, the
Holmstedt Crab and the
Spiny Snow Crab. This industry is one of the largest for Kazulian fisherman along with King Crab, Salmon and White Ocean Cod (Cod). The King Crab are located in warmer waters and are more adaptable to change. They saw limited loss but not as drastic as the Snow Crab loss.
The Bersi Snow Crab, one of three species that has been closed to commercial fishingThe Kazulian Ministry of Fisheries will be conducting several scientific studies on the PH, water temperature and water conditions to better understand and protect the Snow Crab. They have requested emergency money from the Kazulian government to study and find out how to help the problem and protect Kazulia's crabbing industry.
Kazulian crabbers are frustrated but understanding. The Kazulian crabbing fleet is based in the seaport of Bersi with ships having to find alternative ways of catching crab and other fish they do not usually catch. Captain of the Arktisk Banditt (Arctic Bandit) and 13th generation family crabber, Laura Bjorklund spoke to SK about the impact of the closing of the season on commercial crabbers
It is tough it really is, this is my livelihood and having several species that we live off of just disappear is very concerning. I think it is important that we protect the Snow crab fishery for future generations so that my children and grandchildren can be able to if they so choose, live the life I now live. It is really a tough decision but we can persevere, if these crab are gone then it would mean the end of our way of life. I am happy that the Kazulian Government is taking the initiative on this and protecting the crab fishery.
A spark of good news is that the Dovani Golden King Crab also known as the Kazulia King Crab continues to have steady growth. It is smaller than other species of King Crab but prized for their meat taste. They were not as affected by the abnormally warm ocean temperatures. Many crab fisherman will be targeting the Dovani Golden King Crab but this species also has strict seasons and catch quotas to ensure that the species continues to grow.
The Ministry of Fisheries will be conducting population surverys in both Kazulian and International Waters next winter for Snow Crab to test and see if the fishery can be reopened, it is expected that the population will take years to recover.
The Dovani Golden King Crab or locally known as the Kazulian King Crab one species showing population growth by nearly 20% over the past 5 years