Snow crab is a beloved delicacy enjoyed around the world But where does this tasty crustacean actually come from? While you may picture snow crab being caught in icy Arctic waters, this cold-water crab is actually harvested in some unexpected global locations
Here are 6 surprising places where snow crab is caught and exported from
1. Norway
Norway has become a major producer of snow crab in recent years. Commercial fishing is concentrated in the Barents Sea, where rising ocean temperatures have led to booming snow crab populations. Norway now exports large amounts of snow crab to markets in Asia, Europe, and North America.
2. Greenland
Greenland has just opened up its snow crab fishery in the last few years. This emerging industry is already an important part of Greenland’s economy. Most of the country’s snow crab catch is exported to satisfy demands in the United States, Canada, Japan, and other major seafood importers.
3. Iceland
Snow crab was first discovered in Icelandic waters in 2017. Since then, Iceland has rapidly developed commercial fisheries targeting this newfound crustacean resource. Although still small-scale, Iceland’s snow crab exports are growing quickly.
4. Russia
Russia is a major producer of snow crab, especially from waters off its far eastern coast. The Sea of Okhotsk is one of the most prolific snow crab fishing grounds. Russian snow crab is exported globally, with leading destinations including the United States, China, Japan, and countries across Western Europe.
5. Alaska
Alaska once had huge snow crab populations in the Bering, Beaufort, and Chukchi Seas. But in recent years, snow crab numbers have declined sharply in Alaskan waters. Scientists suspect warming oceans are causing this crash. So now Alaska actually imports a lot of its snow crab from Russia and Canada.
6. Japan
Japan has its own local snow crab fisheries, mainly located off the northern island of Hokkaido. The species is known as “zuwaigani” in Japanese cuisine. While Japan exports some snow crab abroad, much of its harvest supplies domestic demand.
Why So Many Places?
Snow crab live in cold, northern oceans across the globe. Important populations are found off Norway, Greenland, Iceland, Russia, Alaska, and Japan. These countries have developed fisheries because snow crab is a valuable seafood item. Its sweet, tender meat commands high prices on international markets.
Traceable sourcing helps ensure snow crab is caught sustainably. So next time you enjoy this delicacy, consider asking where your snow crab came from!
More About Snow Crab:
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Snow crab live in rocky or sandy areas of the seafloor in waters 30-200m deep. Their scientific name is Chionoecetes.
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7 species of snow crab exist, but the main one caught is Chionoecetes opilio. It’s also known as queen crab or spider crab.
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Snow crabs are caught using baited crab pots. Their long, spindly legs make them look like spiders!
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Male snow crabs grow larger than females. Big males can span 150mm and weigh up to 6 pounds!
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Snow crab is prepared many ways, like in sushi rolls, salads, or steamed and dipped in butter. The legs contain the prized meat.
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Snow crab provides an important food source for fish, seals, seabirds and other Bering Sea animals.
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Snow crab populations have declined sharply in recent years, especially in Alaska. Scientists think warming oceans are largely to blame.
So while you may associate snow crab with icy Arctic seas, this tasty crustacean actually comes from a diversity of cold-water locations across the globe – some of which may surprise you! Considering snow crab’s vulnerabilities and declining populations, buying traceable and sustainable snow crab is important.
Quick Facts Region Alaska
Alaska snow crab. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
U.S. wild-caught Alaska snow crab is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
The stock is not overfished.
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat impacts from crab pots are minor because fishing occurs in areas of soft sediment such as silt and mud that are unlikely to be damaged by fishing gear.
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
- According to the 2023 stock assessment, Alaska snow crab is not overfished but still rebuilding, and not subject to overfishing based on 2023 catch data. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART.
- Alaska snow crabs have a hard rounded shell, four pairs of walking legs, and one pair of claws.
- On top they are brownish in color and underneath they are lighter. Their eyes are green or greenish blue.
- Males and females can be distinguished by the shape of their abdominal flaps. On males this flap is triangular, and on females it is broadly rounded.
- Male Alaska snow crab can reach 6 inches in shell width but females seldom grow larger than 3 inches.
- Scientists estimate that snow crabs may live for up to 20 years.
- Females can carry up to nearly 100,000 eggs, depending on their size. They hatch their larvae in the spring when there is plenty of food in the water column.
- When the eggs hatch, the larvae look like tiny shrimp.
- The larvae feed on phytoplankton and zooplankton before metamorphosing into tiny crabs and settling on the ocean bottom.
- Alaska snow crabs can only grow by molting (shedding their old shell and growing another).
- After molting snow crabs are soft and vulnerable to predators until their new shell hardens.
- When they have reached sexual maturity, both females and males undergo a “terminal molt,” after which they never molt again.
- Snow crabs will eat almost anything they can catch and break open with their claws, including fish, shrimp, crabs, worms, clams, brittle stars, snails, algae, and sponges. They will also scavenge on anything dead they find.
- Seals, sea otters, octopi, other crabs, and a wide variety of fish prey on Alaska snow crabs.
| Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Arthropoda | Class | Malacostraca | Order | Decapoda | Family | Oregoniidae | Genus | Chionoecetes | Species | opilio |
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FAQ
Where does snow crab come from?
Where is most snow crab caught?
General. Snow crabs are caught as far north as the Arctic Ocean, from Newfoundland to Greenland and north of Norway in the Atlantic Ocean, and across the Pacific Ocean, including the Sea of Japan, the Bering Sea, the Gulf of Alaska, Norton Sound, and even as far south as California for Chionoecetes bairdi.
What state is known for snow crab?
Alaska snow crabs are found off the coast of Alaska in the Bering, Beaufort, and Chukchi Seas.
Why is snow crab so cheap?
Snow crab is relatively cheaper than other crabs like king crab due to a combination of factors including a more abundant supply, longer harvesting seasons, and a less intensive harvesting process.