Alaska Bering Sea crabbers are proposing changes to theirfishing operations that could benefit career fishermen.
Boat owners aim to establish a “preferential right of firstoffer” to eligible crew, applied to when crab comes up for sale.
That differs from the established “catch share” system thatallows participants to get a set amount of crab catch during extended seasons,in place since 2005.
“The right of firstoffer would provide a tremendous opportunity for captains and crew to take agreater ownership stake in the fishery. It’s aimed at those who wish to makecrabbing a career instead of just a seasonal job,” said Mark Gleason, executivedirector of Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers, a harvester trade group.
