Crabbers push for extended season April 1st 2:51 pm | Hope McKenney, KUCB News
A group of Bering Sea crabbers say the pandemic has slowed their fishing season, and they want more time to catch their quota before the state shuts down their season next week. But the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has denied their request for an extension, citing low population numbers and an upcoming mating season. For the few boats fishing bairdi crab this year, there could be a lot at stake if they don't have time to catch their full quota. "I'm thinking they don't quite understand what we're going through out here," said Oystein Lone, captain of the 98-foot crab boat Pacific Sounder, which is based out of Dutch Harbor.