Norwegian scientists suggest a significant reduction in the quota for king crabs in 2026.

Research Institute scientists believe that Ann Merete Hjelset stated: "This year's resource assessment results show that the number of catchable king crabs is significantly decreasing. We recommend implementing a phased fishing moratorium in the Aust-Finnmark fishing quota management area, with a ban on fishing from March 1 to April 30, 2026, to protect the survival environment of king crabs during their breeding period."

Hjelset said that March and April are the critical breeding periods for male and female king crabs in shallow waters, and implementing a fishing ban will help reduce damage to wild resources and maintain the sustainability of the population.

The Research Institute also suggested that fishing activities should not be carried out in shallow waters below 100 meters deep to further reduce harm to the crab population.

The Norwegian king crab resource survey was conducted from September 13 to October 3, 2025, in the Finnmarksfjords, where scientists carried out 111 trawls and 24 pilot samplings to calculate the population structure, fishing mortality rate, and to conduct predictions and risk analysis. The Norwegian government expects to officially determine the 2026 fishing quota by the end of 2025.

Data shows that since mid-2025, the head price of live male king crabs in Norway has been continuously rising. In the 47th week (November 17 to 23), as the fishing season in the southeastern part of Alaska, USA, started, the U.S. wholesale market price saw its first pullback. Russian king crabs are still prohibited from being sold to the U.S., and the market has been in a state of supply shortage for a long time.

In the first eight months of this year, the U.S. has imported a cumulative 995 tons of king crabs, exceeding the total import volume of 2024, of which 67% came from Norway.