Are There Lobsters in Alaska Waters? A Detailed Look

Alaska is famous for its bountiful seafood especially salmon, halibut and king crab. But one seafood delicacy that many people wonder about is lobster. Are there lobsters swimming in the frigid Alaska waters?

The short answer is yes, there are lobsters in Alaska. However, it’s not as simple as just saying lobsters exist there. To fully understand the situation, we need to take a deeper dive into the topic and clear up some common misconceptions.

The Confusion Around Alaska “Lobster”

When people think of Alaska seafood, they often think of king crab, halibut, and salmon So when travelers visit Alaska and see “lobster” on local seafood restaurant menus, they get excited at the prospect of eating fresh, local lobster.

However, what is being called “lobster” in Alaska is not the same species of lobster found in the northeastern United States and Canada. The so-called “Alaska lobster” is actually a type of prawn called the spot prawn or northern prawn (Pandalus platyceros).

While not technically a true lobster, the Alaska spot prawn does resemble a small lobster in appearance and taste. It has a firm texture and sweet, lobster-like flavor that has earned it the nickname “Alaska lobster.” Spot prawns can grow up to 7 inches long and are found in deep, cold Alaskan waters from the Aleutian Islands to Southeast Alaska.

So while the Alaska spot prawn is delicious and abundant, it is not the same as the iconic clawed lobster known as the American lobster or Maine lobster (Homarus americanus). This distinction is where much of the confusion stems from.

True Lobsters in Alaska Waters

So this raises the question – are there true lobsters, like the Maine lobster, found in Alaska waters? The answer is yes, but in limited numbers compared to Alaska spot prawns.

There are three species of clawed lobsters that occur in Alaska:

• Northern stone crab (Lithodes aequispinus) – Found in the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea
• Golden/brown box crab (Lithodes aequispina) – throughout the Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands
• Spinose spider crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) – lives in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

These species differ from the Maine lobster in a few key ways:

• They lack the large front claws that the Maine lobster is known for.
• They have a more crab-like appearance and are sometimes called “king crabs.”
• They prefer colder water temperatures than the Maine lobster.

The spinose spider crab and golden box crab can both reach sizes over 10 pounds, though most caught are under 5 pounds. Their meat is said to have good flavor, though not as sweet as Maine lobster.

Overall, their numbers in Alaska are small compared to king crab and other seafood. And they lack the large claws that lobster fans love to crack open. So while present, true lobsters play a minor role in Alaska’s seafood industry.

Common Misconceptions

When it comes to Alaskan lobsters, there are some common misconceptions that need to be cleared up:

Myth: Alaska is devoid of modern technology/industry

While much of Alaska is remote wilderness, it also has modern cities like Anchorage and a productive seafood industry. So while logistically challenging, fishing fleets are able to harvest and transport seafood from Alaskan waters year-round.

Myth: Lobsters are non-existent in Alaska

As mentioned, there are true lobster species present in Alaska, though their populations are relatively small compared to other regions. The confusion often stems from the use of “lobster” to describe the Alaska spot prawn.

Myth: Hard-shell lobsters taste better

Some believe that hard-shell lobsters have the best flavor. But according to Alaska lobster fishers, soft-shell “new shell” lobsters often have the sweetest meat after molting. Their shells fill with ocean water as they grow into their new shell, effectively brining the meat.

Myth: Lost traps are decimating lobster populations

Lost lobster traps or “ghost traps” can continue catching lobsters on the seafloor. But programs to add biodegradable panels on traps allow lobsters to eventually escape lost pots, minimizing their impact.

Unique Needs of Different Lobster Species

There are differences in the thermal needs and temperature preferences of lobster species:

• Northern stone crabs are found in extremely cold Aleutian Island waters and can handle a wide range of temperatures.

• Golden box crabs have a more restricted temperature range and are found in slightly warmer Gulf of Alaska waters.

• Maine lobsters prefer temperatures from 12-20°C and can only survive in a narrow temperature band.

Researchers have found complex differences in thermal tolerances not only between lobster species, but also between life stages (larval vs. adult). This shows the challenges in predicting how species will react as oceans warm.

Understanding these unique needs of each species is important for managing lobster fisheries as ocean temperatures change over time.

Fishing for Lobsters in Alaska

The fishing for true lobsters in Alaska only accounts for a tiny fraction compared to king crab, salmon, halibut and other fisheries. The main lobster fished is the Alaska spot prawn which brings in millions of pounds annually.

Spot prawn fishing take places primarily from June-September when they congregate in deeper rocky areas to mate and spawn. They are harvested using baited traps very similar to traditional lobster traps used in the Atlantic.

One advantage of spot prawns is their thicker shell allows them to survive out of water for days compared to true lobsters. This makes them easier to transport from remote Alaska fishing towns to markets in urban centers.

However, overfishing and warming ocean temperatures have led to declining spot prawn numbers in recent decades. Strict fishing quotas and season restrictions now regulate the harvest to ensure future sustainability.

What Does the Future Hold?

As ocean temperatures rise globally, we will likely see shifts in current lobster ranges and populations:

• Gulf of Maine lobster populations remain extremely healthy due to cooling waters and abundant food sources. However, warming has reduced successful reproduction and settlement of larvae.

• Southern New England has seen dramatic declines in lobster numbers and harvests as waters have warmed above their habitable range.

• As waters warm, lobster populations are expanding into more northern areas like the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada.

In Alaska, Bering Sea snow crab harvests have collapsed in recent years, likely due to warming waters forcing them northward into the Arctic or Russian waters. Similar shifts could occur among Alaska’s lobster populations as they react to changes in their environment.

Scientists will continue studying how different lobster species respond to factors like temperature, currents, food supply, ocean acidification, and dissolved oxygen. This research will allow fishery managers to adapt and prepare for future changes to lobster populations based on their habitat needs.

While we may see more northern expansion of American lobsters in the coming decades, it’s unlikely Alaska will ever support large commercial lobster fisheries. However, for lobster fans visiting Alaska, you can still enjoy buttery, tender Alaska spot prawns – a tasty cousin of the classic Maine lobster.