Alaskan Snow Crab

The Snow crab would be considered a good crab species to try as it is similar to the King crab with regard to having chunky leg meat. These crabs also produce a newer shell under the old one, eventually molting the old one.

This crab is very handy for the everyday consumer as it is very high in numbers and easily available from most markets. Due to the high numbers of this species, the prices are lower, meaning more than the rich can try this crab. Not only that, they are still packed full of flavour and have a very crabby taste. They are also as healthy as other crabs with very high protein content, very low in fat and would benefit your diet by any ones standards.

Learn About The Alaskan Snow Crab

The Alaskan snow crab is a delicacy consumed in North America and to a lesser degree in certain parts of North East Asia. It is also referred to as the Opilio crab, tanner crab, and the queen crab. They are commonly found in the Bering Sea as well as the Chuckchi Sea. It is in these areas were most of the commercial fishing and harvesting takes place. They thrive in such cold waters.

The species molt a few times each year when young though this is reduced as they age and mature. This is a normal part of the life cycle of many crustaceans. Typically an average individual would weigh in at around five pounds.

In Canada the season for fishing snow crabs is from April though to November. In the Bering Sea this depends predominantly on when the ice breaks and melts away. For this reason the crabbing season can vary in length dramatically from year to year.

The Alaskan snow crab has a relatively long life when compared to species that inhabit warmer waters such as the Dungeness crab. Adulthood is not reached until around six or seven years of age and then they can live and breed for an additional four or five years. As they age, they occasionally develop patches dark in color on their shells and often have an appearance, which is not so appealing. Such individuals can be bought for a lower price, as many people believe incorrectly that the meat would be less tasty.

A typical female has a very high reproductive rate and can lay literally hundreds of thousands of eggs on an annual basis. Once they have reached full maturity they will only molt a single time. Their width of carapace will rarely grow larger than three inches whereas with a male Alaskan snow crab the carapace can often be six inches wide.

The Alaskan snow crab is often called the queen crab as they have very long legs similar to those found on the Alaskan king crab, but their carapace and leg width are far smaller; though larger than that found on the blue crab or Dungeness crab. You may already know from experience that although both the snow crab and Alaskan king crab are large species a fishing pot full of the latter may contain up to eighty individuals whereas the same size pot would be able to accommodate upwards of two hundred snow crabs.

Today more people are seeking out this delicacy, as it is known as being a high protein low calorie food. There are very few meals available that also provide such a mouth-watering taste. When this is combined with a relatively low cost and wide availability it is no surprise to find Alaskan snow crabs popping up on plates and menus up and down the country.

If you are interested in the actual figures then you may be pleasantly surprised to discover that three ounces of the meat contain just over a single gram of fat and only ninety-five calories.

Biomass: In the Bering Sea, snow crab mature male biomass currently exceeds the target level.

Aquaculture: There is currently no aquaculture of snow crab in the U.S.

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