Features of the Current Red King Crab Paralithodes camtschaticus (Tilesius, 1815) Fishery off Western Kamchatka: A New Fishery Ground in Shelikhov Bay

The current status of the fishery for the red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus off western Kamchatka is considered with a particular focus on the northern part of its range, Shelikhov Bay. Crab pot surveys in 2019–2022 revealed significant aggregations of legal-size red king crabs in the southeastern part of the bay. In 2023, a new fishing ground was opened in Shelikhov Bay north of 57°40′ N against the background of a decline in catches in traditional areas south of 56°20′ N. In 2023 and 2024, the main red king crab fishing efforts were concentrated in the southeastern part of the bay despite its exceptional importance as the main breeding grounds of the entire western Kamchatka population. The importance of preserving the existing conservation areas is shown, and a conclusion is made about the need for additional measures for sustainable fishery management of the red king crab resources.