Red Crabbing Gear: Essential Equipment for Success in the Crabbing Industry

September 25, 2024

Red Crabbing Gear: The Complete Equipment Guide for Commercial Crab Fishing

Commercial red crabbing — particularly Bering Sea red king crab fishing — requires some of the most specialized and expensive fishing gear in the world. A single commercial crab pot weighs 600–800 lbs and costs $300–600; a fully equipped vessel carries 250–800 pots; the hydraulic systems to haul them cost $50,000–150,000; and the safety equipment required by the US Coast Guard for Bering Sea operations adds tens of thousands more. This guide covers every major gear category in detail: crab pots (construction, bait, escape rings), the pot hauling system (hydraulic haulers, coilers, sorting tables), navigation and communication technology, and USCG-required safety equipment. It is written for commercial operators and serious enthusiasts; recreational crabbers will find the safety and bait sections most relevant.

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Crab Pots: Construction, Specifications, and Bycatch Reduction

Commercial Crab Pot Specifications

Commercial red king crab pots used in the Bering Sea are among the largest and heaviest fishing traps in the world: (1) Dimensions: typically 6×6×2.5 feet (approximately 1.8×1.8×0.75 meters); some operators use 7-foot pots for larger hauls; (2) Weight: 600–800 lbs (270–360 kg) empty; a fully loaded pot with crab can weigh 1,200–1,500 lbs; (3) Frame construction: welded steel bar frame (typically ¾-inch or 1-inch square steel bar); the frame must be strong enough to withstand the pressure of being dragged along the seafloor and hauled through rough seas; (4) Mesh: stainless steel or galvanized steel mesh; stainless steel is more durable and corrosion-resistant but significantly more expensive; galvanized steel is the more common choice for cost reasons; mesh size is regulated to prevent capture of undersized crab; (5) Tunnel entrances: pots have 2–4 tunnel entrances (also called “chutes” or “funnels”) through which crab enter; the tunnels are designed so that crab can enter easily but cannot exit; (6) Bait jar or bait bag: a central bait container holds the attractant; bait jars (perforated plastic containers) are more common in commercial operations; bait bags (mesh bags) are simpler and less expensive; (7) Escape rings: required by regulation in most crab fisheries; circular openings (typically 4.5–5 inches in diameter) that allow undersized crab and non-target species to escape; (8) Biodegradable panels: required in most regulated crab fisheries; panels made of untreated cotton twine that degrade over time; if a pot is lost (ghost gear), the panel degrades and allows trapped crab to escape, preventing indefinite ghost fishing.

Bait Selection and Strategy

Bait selection significantly affects catch rates: (1) Herring: the most commonly used bait for red king crab; oily fish release scent compounds that disperse widely in the water column and attract crab from a distance; fresh or frozen herring is preferred; salted herring is less effective; (2) Squid: effective and widely available; less oily than herring but durable and holds up well in the bait jar; often used in combination with herring; (3) Cod or pollock: commonly used in Bering Sea operations where these species are abundant; effective but less oily than herring; (4) Bait quantity: commercial pots typically use 5–10 lbs of bait per set; bait is replenished each time the pot is hauled and reset; (5) Bait freshness: fresh or recently thawed bait releases more scent than old or repeatedly frozen bait; bait quality directly affects catch rates; (6) Bait jar vs. bait bag: bait jars (perforated plastic containers) release scent more slowly and last longer between sets; bait bags release scent faster and are more effective for short soak times; commercial operators typically use bait jars for longer soak times (24–48 hours).

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The Pot Hauling System

Hydraulic Pot Haulers

Manually hauling a 600–800 lb crab pot from depths of 100–600 feet is not feasible; hydraulic pot haulers are essential for commercial operations: (1) How they work: a hydraulic motor drives a sheave (pulley) mounted on the rail of the vessel; the pot line runs over the sheave; the hydraulic system provides the mechanical advantage to lift the pot; (2) Capacity: commercial pot haulers are rated for 2,000–5,000 lbs of line pull; this is sufficient to haul a fully loaded pot from any depth in the Bering Sea; (3) Speed: a modern hydraulic hauler can retrieve a pot from 300 feet in approximately 3–5 minutes; (4) Power source: driven by the vessel’s main hydraulic system, which is powered by the main engine or a dedicated hydraulic power unit; (5) Cost: $15,000–50,000 for the hauler unit; installation and hydraulic system integration adds additional cost; (6) Manufacturers: Pacific Coast Marine (PCM), Rapp Marine, and Marco are among the leading manufacturers of commercial pot haulers.

The Coiler System

The coiler is one of the most important and least-discussed pieces of gear on a crabbing vessel: (1) What it does: as the pot line is hauled in, the coiler automatically coils the line in a neat, organized pile on deck; without a coiler, the line piles up in a tangled mess that creates serious entanglement hazards for crew; (2) Safety importance: line entanglement is one of the leading causes of crew fatalities in commercial crabbing; a crew member whose foot or leg becomes entangled in a rapidly running pot line can be pulled overboard or severely injured; the coiler keeps the line organized and reduces this risk; (3) Types: deck-mounted coilers (the most common; mount on the deck near the hauler); line storage bins (simpler; the line is fed into a bin rather than coiled); (4) Cost: $5,000–20,000 for a commercial coiler system.

Sorting Tables and Crab Tanks

Once the pot is hauled aboard, the crab must be sorted, measured, and stored: (1) Sorting tables: large, raised tables (typically 4×8 feet or larger) where the pot is emptied and the crab sorted; undersized crab, females (in most fisheries), and non-target species are returned to the sea immediately; (2) Measuring gauges: required by regulation; used to measure the carapace width of each crab to determine if it meets the minimum legal size; (3) Live tanks: commercial crabbing vessels maintain large seawater tanks (typically 10,000–50,000 gallons) where live crab are held until delivery to the processor; the tanks are continuously flushed with fresh seawater to keep the crab alive and in good condition; (4) Chilling systems: refrigerated seawater (RSW) systems chill the tank water to near-freezing temperatures, extending the viability of the live crab and improving meat quality at delivery.

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Navigation and Communication Technology

Navigation Systems

• GPS chartplotter: the primary navigation tool; displays the vessel’s position on an electronic chart; used to mark the location of deployed pots (pot positions are saved as waypoints); essential for retrieving pots in poor visibility or rough weather
• Sonar/fishfinder: used to identify bottom structure and depth; some operators use sonar to identify areas of crab concentration; less useful for crab than for fish (crab do not show up as clearly on sonar as schooling fish)
• Radar: essential for navigation in fog, rain, and darkness; also used to detect other vessels and avoid collisions; required by USCG regulations for vessels over a certain size
• Autopilot: allows the vessel to maintain a set course without constant manual steering; essential for long transits to and from crabbing grounds

Communication Equipment

• VHF marine radio: the primary short-range communication tool; required by USCG regulations; used for vessel-to-vessel communication, weather updates, and distress calls on Channel 16 (the international distress and calling channel)
• Single sideband (SSB) radio: long-range radio communication; used for communication with shore stations and other vessels beyond VHF range
• Satellite phone: provides reliable voice and data communication anywhere in the world; essential for Bering Sea operations where VHF and SSB coverage may be limited
• EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon): required by USCG regulations for vessels operating offshore; automatically activates when submerged and transmits a distress signal with GPS coordinates to search and rescue satellites; the single most important piece of emergency communication equipment on a vessel

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USCG-Required Safety Equipment

Immersion Suits (Survival Suits)

Immersion suits (also called survival suits or “Gumby suits”) are required by USCG regulations for all crew members on vessels operating in cold water: (1) What they do: immersion suits are insulated, waterproof suits that cover the entire body; they are designed to keep a person alive in cold water for several hours by preventing hypothermia; without an immersion suit, survival time in Bering Sea water temperatures (typically 28–35°F / -2–2°C) is measured in minutes; (2) USCG requirements: one immersion suit per crew member, plus one additional suit; suits must be USCG-approved; suits must be stored in an accessible location and crew must be trained in donning them; (3) Donning time: USCG regulations require that crew be able to don their immersion suit in 60 seconds or less; regular drills are required; (4) Inspection: suits must be inspected annually and replaced if damaged or past their service life.

Life Rafts and EPIRBs

Life rafts must be USCG-approved, properly sized for the crew, and hydrostatically released (automatically deploy if the vessel sinks). EPIRBs must be registered with NOAA and tested regularly. Both are required for offshore commercial fishing vessels.

Fire Suppression and First Aid

Commercial fishing vessels are required to carry USCG-approved fire extinguishers, a fixed fire suppression system in the engine room, and a first aid kit. The Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Act (46 USC Chapter 45) sets the specific requirements for commercial fishing vessels.

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🔗 Also see: Red Crabbing as a Business: Profitability, the 2021–2023 Closure, and the IFQ System

🎥 Watch crab preparation videos on the Global Seafoods YouTube Channel

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FAQs: Red Crabbing Gear

What is a biodegradable panel on a crab pot, and why is it required?

Biodegradable panels (also called “ghost gear panels” or “escape panels”) are sections of the crab pot mesh made from untreated natural fiber (typically cotton twine) that degrades in seawater over time: (1) Why they are required: lost or abandoned crab pots (“ghost gear”) continue to trap and kill crab and other marine life indefinitely if they are made entirely of non-degradable materials; a lost pot without a biodegradable panel can continue fishing for years; (2) How they work: the biodegradable panel is sewn into one side of the pot; in normal use, the panel is intact and the pot functions normally; if the pot is lost, the panel degrades over a period of weeks to months (depending on water temperature and conditions), creating an opening large enough for trapped crab to escape; (3) Regulatory requirement: biodegradable panels are required by NOAA Fisheries regulations in most federally managed crab fisheries, including the Bering Sea king crab fishery; the specific panel size and material requirements are specified in the regulations; (4) Effectiveness: studies have shown that biodegradable panels significantly reduce ghost fishing mortality; the panels are one of the most effective bycatch reduction measures available for pot fisheries; (5) Maintenance: biodegradable panels must be replaced regularly (typically each season) as they degrade even when the pot is in use; inspecting and replacing panels is part of routine pot maintenance.

What is an EPIRB, and how does it work in a maritime emergency?

EPIRB stands for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon: (1) What it does: an EPIRB is a self-contained radio transmitter that, when activated, sends a distress signal to a network of search and rescue satellites (the COSPAS-SARSAT system); the signal includes the vessel’s unique identification number (registered with NOAA) and, for GPS-equipped EPIRBs, the vessel’s precise GPS coordinates; (2) Activation: EPIRBs can be activated manually (by pressing a button) or automatically (by a hydrostatic release mechanism that activates when the EPIRB is submerged to a depth of approximately 3–4 meters); automatic activation is critical in scenarios where the crew cannot manually activate the device (e.g., if the vessel sinks rapidly); (3) Signal transmission: the EPIRB transmits on 406 MHz (the international distress frequency); the signal is received by COSPAS-SARSAT satellites and relayed to a local user terminal (LUT); the LUT calculates the position and forwards the alert to the appropriate rescue coordination center (RCC); (4) Response time: with a GPS-equipped EPIRB, the position can be determined within minutes; search and rescue response times depend on the location and available resources; in the Bering Sea, response times can be several hours; (5) Registration: EPIRBs must be registered with NOAA (in the US) to be effective; registration links the EPIRB’s unique ID to the vessel’s name, owner contact information, and emergency contacts; an unregistered EPIRB signal may be treated as a false alarm; (6) Testing: EPIRBs must be tested monthly (using the built-in self-test function) and serviced every 5 years or when the battery expires.

What is the difference between a crab pot escape ring and a biodegradable panel, and are both required?

Escape rings and biodegradable panels serve different purposes and are both required in most regulated crab fisheries: (1) Escape rings: circular openings (typically 4.5–5 inches in diameter) built into the sides of the crab pot; they allow undersized crab (below the legal minimum size) and non-target species to escape from the pot while it is actively fishing on the seafloor; escape rings are a bycatch reduction device that operates continuously during normal fishing; the size of the escape ring is calibrated to allow undersized crab to pass through while retaining legal-size crab; (2) Biodegradable panels: sections of degradable material that allow trapped crab to escape if the pot is lost; they do not function during normal fishing (the panel is intact); they only function after the pot is lost and the panel has had time to degrade; (3) Both are required: in the Bering Sea red king crab fishery and most other federally managed crab fisheries, both escape rings and biodegradable panels are required; they address different aspects of bycatch and ghost fishing; (4) Regulatory specifics: the specific requirements (number of escape rings, minimum diameter, panel size and material) are specified in the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR Part 680 for Bering Sea king and Tanner crab); operators should consult the current regulations for their specific fishery and area.

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