Top Tanner Crabs Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Tanner crabs, primarily Chionoecetes bairdi, are a cold-water crab species found in the North Pacific, especially around the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. They are closely related to snow crabs and are prized for their sweet, delicate meat. The largest harvests of Tanner crabs occur in the United States, particularly Alaska, which dominates global production thanks to its well-managed and sustainable fisheries. Russia is another significant harvester, with its fleets operating in the Sea of Okhotsk and the western Bering Sea. While these two countries account for the vast majority of the catch, smaller fisheries exist in Canada and Japan, though their contributions are minor by comparison. The term "not elsewhere included" (NEI) in fisheries statistics often aggregates catches from countries with smaller or less well-documented harvests, but the industry remains concentrated in the North Pacific, where cold, nutrient-rich waters support robust Tanner crab populations and a lucrative export market.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.