Barents Sea King Crab (Paralithodes camtschatica). The transplantation experiments were successfull

Abstract

As a result of the USSR tranplantation experiments, a viable, self-reproducing poulation of king crab, (Paralithodes camtschatica), is now well established in the Barents Sea. Commercial fishing for king crab is prohibited in both Russia and Norway, but these crabs are frequently taken as bycatches in coastal fisheries. Mature crabs are most numerous in the Varangerfjord area where experimental trap fishing by the two institutes have yielded catch rates comparable to those of recent years in the Bering Sea. The size distribution of mature Barents Sea king crabs is very similar to that of Alaska waters. The observations also suggest a similar annual vertical dsitribution as in the native North Pacific area with migrations to shallow waters for mating and moulting in winter and spring. The ecologic impact of this new element in the Barents Sea fauna cannot be evaluated on the basis of the present limited and fragmentary knowledge of the Barents sea king crab's population structure, distribution and abundance, and of its food and feeding habits.