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WHY IS KING CRAB SO EXPENSIVE?

Cracking the Mysteries of Crabbing: Why Crab Comes with a Hefty Price Tag Welcome to Ketchikan Crab & Go, where we specialize in serving one of the most luxurious seafoods available: the best King Crab you will ever eat. Have you ever wondered why this delicacy comes with such a hefty price tag? The reasons are deeply rooted in its rarity, the perilous conditions under which it is harvested, and the intricate methods employed to catch it.Let’s explore why King Crab is considered so precious and commands such a premium. Journey to the Bering Sea: The Quest for King Crab
From the docks of Ketchikan, the week-long voyage to the Bering Sea's remote icy waters marks the start of North America's most dangerous jobs. Crabbers face severe weather, icy seas, and long days, heightening both the peril and the reward of harvesting King Crab.
Climate Change and Environmental Impact
Continuing our exploration of the challenges faced in crabbing, the environmental shifts in the Bering Sea introduce added complexity. The Red King Crab, typically found in the sandy and muddy bottoms along the continental shelf of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, traditionally prefers shallower waters but is compelled to migrate deeper in search of cooler, more suitable conditions. A 5-degree increase in sea temperatures—a direct consequence of climate change—has not only disrupted the traditional habitats of Alaskan King Crabs but has also increased their vulnerability to predators such as cod. These ecological changes pose significant risks to the stability of Red King Crab populations and complicate fishing efforts. The Trawling Impact Shifting focus from climate change to the fishing industry, we recognize that Alaska's role in producing 60% of the nation’s commercial fisheries highlights the significant issue of trawling. Fishing trawlers, using heavy nets, often unintentionally capture Red King Crab, resulting in substantial bycatch. These nets not only ensnare the crabs but also cause extensive damage to their natural habitats on the ocean floor. Such challenges further elevate the value of the King Crab, making each catch even more precious and underscoring its status as a rare delicacy.
The Challenge of Quotas and Regulations
Due to its natural rarity, along with the impacts of climate change and trawling, the Alaskan Red King Crab has become one of the most prized and scarce crab species globally. Often hailed as the "Diamond of the Ocean," this majestic creature is now subject to strict fishing quotas. These regulations are paramount for the preservation of the crab population, as evidenced by the drastic reduction in the allowable harvest from a staggering 200 million pounds in the 1980s to a mere 2 million pounds by 2023. As a result, the entire world is now vying for a share of this limited 2 million-pound supply of the best tasting crab in the world, driving both competition and demand to unprecedented levels.
Navigating the Crabbing Process The intricacy of the crabbing process involves intense labor and risk. For Red King Crab, pots are precisely dropped to the ocean floor and marked by buoys. Golden King Crab harvesting uses traditional pots on longlines for sustainability. Crabbers combine experience and GPS to find the best spots, with success depending on patient waiting and generational knowledge.
Seasonality and Sensitivity of the Ecosystem
Alaskan King Crabs in particular are not caught year-round like other crab species, making the window for harvest crucial. Peak season is in the fall, and while it can last up to 3 months, sometimes the season has an extremely small window of only 4 to 5 days in length. This limited window, coupled with stringent fishing regulations, ensures the sustainability of crab populations and the quality of the crab meat.
Map of the Journey: From the Bering Sea to Ketchikan To help you visualize where these magnificent creatures come from, we’ve included a map on our site showing their harvesting locations in northwest Alaska.
At Ketchikan Crab & Go, we serve three main types of crab, each unique in size and taste: Red King Crab:Renowned for its substantial size, the King Crab features six legs and two claws, with an average weight of six pounds per crab. The legs vary in size, with a typical leg weighing about ¾ of a pound, although they can often exceed a pound each. King Crab meat is prized for its rich, snow-white texture highlighted by bright red accents, offering an exceptional flavor that is both sweet and succulent. This makes the King Crab a cornerstone of our offerings, reflecting the culinary excellence we strive for.Golden King Crab: Caught in the waters around the Aleutian chain islands, Golden King Crab are the smallest and spikiest of the two main species of King Crab we offer. Their shells are a distinctive golden-orange color. Known for their mild flavor, the gentlest among our Alaskan King Crab types, Golden King Crabs are also one of the most abundant crab species in Alaska. Thriving in rocky habitats that protect them from the effects of climate change and trawling, these crabs maintain a plentiful population, making them a sustainable and responsible choice for seafood lovers.Dungeness Crab:Sourced from the sandy and muddy bottoms along the Pacific Coast, from California to Alaska, Dungeness Crab is celebrated for its tender meat and subtly sweet flavor. Typically weighing between 1.5 to 3 pounds each due to their heavy shells, these crabs are versatile and popular, yielding about 1 pound of meat. Named after the town of Dungeness in Washington, this crab is a local favorite. Its distinctive, rich taste is both mild and ideal for a variety of dishes, making it a cherished part of our restaurant's selection.
From Ocean Depths to Dinner Plates: The Culinary Journey Once caught, the crabs undergo a meticulous preparation process. King Crab legs are fully pre-cooked, cleaned, sectioned, and frozen in liquid brine as per FDA health regulations, ensuring that their rich flavors are perfectly preserved before they reach our restaurant. At Ketchikan Crab & Go, we take pride in serving our King Crab in the traditional Alaskan way—chilled. This method not only honors tradition but also enhances the dining experience by maintaining the crab’s succulent taste, allowing you to savor the full depth of its luxurious flavor just as nature intended.
We highly recommend enjoying our King Crab chilled to truly appreciate the authentic Alaskan culinary experience. However, we understand that some of our guests may prefer their seafood served hot. While we can accommodate this preference by briefly boiling the crab, it’s important to note that heating may diminish some of the delicate flavors that make Alaskan King Crab so exceptional.