One of the most remarkable of all the commercial shellfish industries is Alaska crab fishing. The deep waters of Alaska, notably the Bering Sea, Bristol Bay, Dutch Harbor, the Kodiak and Aleutian Islands offer up rich bounties of many types of crab. In these waters you will find Alaskan Snow Crab, Dungeness Crab and the famed Alaskan King crab that you no doubt enjoy out at restaurants.

The different varieties of the Alaskan crabs holds massive commercial value and the Alaskan King crab in particular is a prized dish around the world. Restaurants are the primary importers of this famed crab.

An idea of the valuation of Alaska crab fishing can be garnered from the fact that a seasoned fisherman can hope to catch $50,000, or more, worth of crab in a short eight-week period.

The commercial crab fishing industry here had its beginning way back in 1950. The profits were promising right from the very beginning and Alaska quickly attracted hundreds of U.S. fishing boats, along with Alaska crab fishing jobs.

By the 1980s, the crab industry was peaking. During this early period, these fleets regularly earned $150,000 in a single season and the crab fishing boats boasted of luxuries such as saunas, music systems and even microwaves.

But soon, by 1983, the Alaskan King crab industry came to a roaring crash for no apparent reason. This was the worst decline in the history of fishing. It forced these fishermen to look into alternative fishing sources. Thus Alaskan commercial fishing branched out either to salmon and halibut or bairdi and opilio, two types of tanner crabs (also known these days as Alaskan Snow Crab.

Since then the Alaska crab fishing trade has been looking up a bit with the year 2001 bringing in 23.2-million pounds of fishing stock worth over $36,000,000.

The most productive months are in the fall and winter where the bounty is plentiful. Although the crab season is short, lasting only a bare few weeks, fishermen brave the waters and the weather in order to cash in on this prize catch.

Crab fishing still lures many a fisherman due to some of the highest wages in the world. It is rumored that some of the deckhands earn upwards of $50,000 for less than a half year of work. To apply for a position you must be healthy, able bodied and have the endurance and desire to hang in for the season.

In spite of all the possible hardships, there is no shortage of men or women seeking employment in this fishing trade who don't mind "working on the edge". They work hard sometimes earning a share of the net harvest. Considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, it is not uncommon to hear of fatalities.

And what about the catch?

Alaskan King Crab, also known as, "stone crab" are the biggest and most sought after crab in the world. King Crab are popular for their huge legs loaded with meat and large claws. You can find them in seafood restaurants, but I find them better right from my own kitchen.

They are simple to cook, and delicious to eat. I respect what these brave fishermen go through to get those delectable legs of king crab for us.