The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation is announcing an upcoming summer 2026 field project in Bristol Bay. One crab vessel Charter RFP is now open for interested parties until Friday, April 24.
The full RFP can be found here:
AFDF RESEARCH and RFP ANNOUNCEMENT
and provides the complete scope of work, vessel requirements, competitive RFP process, and the timeline for vessel selection.
Bristol Bay Red King Crab Enhancement Project
Recruitment limitation may be the primary cause for the precipitous decline of Bristol Bay red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) stock over the past two decades. This project marks the third year of early life stage and benthic habitat sampling in Bristol Bay to assess potential recruitment bottlenecks for this stock. New enhancement experiments in 2026 will include release and monitoring of hatchery-raised juveniles supplied from the new St. Paul Island crab hatchery using SCUBA divers in the Port Moller area.
Charter 1: The open RFP covers Charter 1 only. The estimated charter duration is ~ 25 days (June 5 – June 30; start date ± 7-10 days). Sampling goals include deployment of crab-pot attached larval collectors, diver habitat and juvenile crab surveys, and oceanographic sampling. Juvenile crab releases and monitoring will occur with hatchery or wild juveniles based on hatchery availability at time of survey.
Charter 2: SOA charter Invitation to Bid (ITB) will likely follow in May. The estimated charter duration is ~ 17 days (August 15 – 31; start date ± 7-10 days). Sampling goals include recovery of crab-pot attached larval collectors, diver habitat and juvenile crab surveys, and oceanographic sampling. Juvenile crab releases and monitoring will occur with hatchery or wild juveniles based on charter 1 results and hatchery availability.
Questions about this announcement can be directed to:
Contract and Agreement Questions: Kristy Clement, CEO AFDF, kclement@afdf.org, O: 907-276-7315 ext 105
Science and Logistics Questions: Jared Weems, ADF&G Chief Field Scientist, jared.weems@alaska.gov, O: 907-486-1831
