Alaska Wildlife Troopers fishing for outlaw crabber in Auke Bay

Alaska Wildlife Troopers fishing for outlaw crabber in Auke Bay

At least two illegal, unmarked pots were found.

Alaska Wildlife Troopers are seeking an out-of-season crabber near Auke Bay who had at least two pots set in the area.

“Poachers essentially steal our resources from law abiding citizens,” Alaska Wildlife Trooper Jacob Abbott wrote in a post on the AWT’s Facebook page. “It’s bad for the king crab fishery, and it’s something we and law-abiding crabbers aren’t going to tolerate.”

Alaska Wildlife Troopers are searching for an illegal crabber near Auke Bay after at least two illegal, homemade crab pots were discovered. (Courtesy Photo | Alaska State Troopers)

Alaska Wildlife Troopers are searching for an illegal crabber near Auke Bay after at least two illegal, homemade crab pots were discovered. (Courtesy Photo | Alaska State Troopers)

The improvised pots were made of rebar and orange plastic construction fencing, tied off to unlabeled black buoys adorned with electrical tape. The law requires that crab pot buoys have several specific pieces of information, including the owner, their address and their boat registration number.

The season for personal fishing for king crabs is only a day long, due to limited supply and high demand, the post said. Neither pot had the escape mechanism required by law to keep the crab pot from becoming a ghost pot, catching and trapping crabs for years after its location had been lost.

“If the pots in the pictures here look familiar, or if you know who perpetrated this dastardly deed, please contribute to the health of your personal-use crab fishery and call the Wildlife Troopers in Juneau at 465-4000,” said the post.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

More in News

(Juneau Empire File)
Aurora forecast for the week of Nov. 27

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Hundreds walk the waterfront near Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza during the 2023 Juneau Maritime Festival in early May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Survey: Residents increasingly negative about cruise tourism, but postive opinions still prevail

48% of respondents say overall impacts positive, 22% negative after record-high passenger season.

A Hawaiian Airlines plane taxis for position at Kahalui, Hawaii, on the island of Maui, March 24, 2005. Alaska Air Group said Sunday that it agreed to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1 billion deal. (AP Photo/Lucy Pemoni, File)
Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal that may attract regulator scrutiny

SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines said Sunday it agreed to buy Hawaiian Airlines… Continue reading

Cruise ship passengers walk around in downtown Juneau in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Public suggestions for spending cruise ship passenger fees being accepted starting Monday

More than $21.6M available after record season, but proposals limited to cruise-related projects.

The Hubbard state ferry (left), the newest vessel in the Alaska Marine Highway System fleet, is back in service in northern Southeast Alaska after a maintenance period as the LeConte, which also serves the region, undergoes a scheduled annual overhaul until March 3. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Marine Highway System)
AMHS leaders hopeful staffing, sailings are trending up

More employees at key positions hired, restoration of cross-Gulf sailings next summer envisioned.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

A ConocoPhillips oil rig operating during winter on Alaska’s North Slope is featured on the cover of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s report recommending approval of the Willow oil project. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)
Judge rejects calls to halt winter construction work on Willow oil project in Alaska during appeal

A federal judge in Alaska on Friday rejected requests from environmental groups… Continue reading

Strips of chum salmon hang on a drying rack on Aug. 22, 2007. A new study by federal and state biologists identies marine heat waves in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska as the likely culprit in the recent crashes of Western Alaska chum salmon runs. (Photo by S.Zuray / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Study points to concurrent marine heat waves as culprit in Western Alaska chum declines

Successive marine heat waves appear to have doomed much of the chum… Continue reading

Marzena Whitmore (elf) and Dale Hudson (Santa), pose for a photo with Benny Orvin (partially obscured), 6, and his siblings Lilly, 4, and Remi, 2, taken by their mother Alex as their father Randy watches during Gallery Walk in downtown Juneau on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Coming together as one giant community family at Gallery Walk

Thousands share an evening of entertainment in the outdoor chill, visiting shops and hot chocolate.

Most Read