(Kodiak) - As part of a study designed to learn more about Tanner crab movements, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Division of Commercial Fisheries has deployed 23 sunken acoustic moorings in Kalsin Bay near Kodiak Island. This is the second deployment in the study, with the first being highlighted in a press release issued on February 10, 2021.

The moorings are located in the deepest section of the bay, east of Kalsin and Queer islands and west of Kalsin Reef. See the map below with the sunken acoustic moorings’ coordinates. Anglers should take note of the area of the moorings and use caution when setting crab pots or fishing with hook and line in the vicinity of the moorings.

Moorings will be used to track movements of Tanner crab and will remain at depth until approximately June 1, 2021. Locations will not be visible from the surface and are provided here in an effort to minimize gear interactions with anglers and subsistence users.

Several acoustic-tagged Tanner crab (primarily sublegal-size crab) will be transiting the area of the moorings. If you capture a tagged Tanner crab, please note the tag number (see photo below), location (latitude and longitude), and date, and provide this information to ADF&G to assist in data collection for the project. Please return the Tanner crab to the water as soon as possible.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum at (907) 486-1880 or the project biologist Andy Nault at (907) 486-1891.

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