I recently got hired as a Shellfish Biologist with the AK Department of Fish and Game and on my first survey we dropped crab pots across SE Alaska around the Southern Tip of Admiratly Island in Pybus Bay, Gambier Bay, Holkham Bay, and Seymour Canal. On the pots I attached temperature sensors that recorded the temperature of the water and when the pots were pulled I measured crab carapace lenghts, assessed their age my looking at their shell condition, looked for parasites, measures claw heights (chelae heights), and took note of any bicatches. Here are pictures from that trip. I will be going on another survey in about a week.
Adam another biologist thought he had a large halibut, but it ended up being this huge skate.
Crab pots being put on the pot launcher getting ready to set
Cone crab pots and bait jars filled with chopped herring on the sorting table.
Pulling up a pot filled with some Red King Crab and Tanner Crab
My first Halibut ever!! Caught it in Pybus Bay on 6/18, it was 46 inch and ~ 50lbs. After fishing all night every night I woke up to everyone telling me to go check my halibut line and here it is.
Sunflower sea star found in one of the pots
Jackpot!!!
Measuring crab carapace lengths, determining shell condition, leg count, and if it has any parasites.
A Scaled crab found in a pot, it is part of the Lithodid crab family, which also includes King Crabs.
Pacific Octopus was found eating shrimp and crab in a pot.
Decorater Crab
Largest Red King Crab we caught during the whole survey with a carapace length of 204mm and on avg we were usually getting between 150-180mm
Rose Sea Star
Spot Shrimp
Male Dungeness Crab
Great Sculpin I caught when I was fishing for halibut, they live on the bottom and there are many different varities of sculpins
Snail Fish
Golden/Brown King Crab we caught when are pots were set really deep in the water and they have a few more spines than the Red King Crab. They live much deeper than the Red King Crab.
Sea Cucumber, not sure what kind
Boat Name R/V meaning Research Vessel Medeia
Red Irish Lord Sculpin
Brown Box Crab, also part of the Lithodid crab family. To protect itself and boxes up and looks almost like a rock.
Underside of brown box crab
Second halibut I caught getting pulled up it was 52.5 inches and 70lbs. Our second day in Holkham Bay, near Tracy's Arm. Everyone caught at least 1 halibut for a total of 7 halibut caught in just a few hours after anchoring. These fish really pull on the line and it is quite a fight to get them to the surface!
Ice Bergs near Tracy's Arm
Sea Urchin
Brittle Stars
Brittle Stars
Fusistriton Snail
