The story of Alaska’s red king crab shows dramatic change. This seafood was once Alaska’s top shellfish fishery, deeply embedded in the culture of Alaska’s working waterfronts. Then, in the 1980s, the fishery collapsed. Since 1983, most populations have remained low statewide, with the Gulf of Alaska fishery still closed. But new research brings hope. Scientists have discovered these crabs have diverse genetic traits that could help them survive changing ocean conditions. This genetic diversity works like a natural safety net, helping protect against threats like disease or changes in ocean chemistry. “When it comes to understanding crab biomass declines … Continue reading Alaska Red King Crab Genetic Study Reveals Twice the Known Populations