Wild Opilio Snow Crab

Chionoecetes opilio

What is Wild Alaska Opilio Snow Crab?

Opilio Snow Crab offers delicate strands of subtly sweet meat with popping crab flavor and texture. The Alaskan fishery for Opilio Snow Crab starts in January and ends in March/ April. Production occurs in the Seattle area and can be offered year round with planning. Trident is a quota holder on Alaska Opilio Snow Crab so there is yearly access to supply and an opportunity to build programs. Lead time depends on volume but target 2-3 weeks and for larger volumes 4-6 weeks.

Fishing Seasons

January through March

Responsible Fisheries Management Certification
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Website

NUTRITION

WILD ALASKA OPILIO SNOW CRAB IS PACKED WITH SHELL-SHOCKING LEVELS OF PROTEIN, OMEGA-3’S AND VITAMINS.

3.0 OZ. OF OPILIO SNOW CRAB

20 g Protein (40% DV)

405 mg Omega 3s DHA & EPA

8.8 mcg VITAMIN B12 (367% DV)

40 mcg VITAMIN D (267% DV)

DV = Daily Value // 3.0 oz. =85 g Source: USDA Standard Reference Release 28

Wild Alaska Opilio Snow Crab Recipes

Lime Chipotle-Roasted Alaska Snow Crab
Wild Alaska Snow Crab Noodle Soup
Alaska Snow Crab Imperial

Health Benefits & Nutrition

The high protein content of wild Alaska Opilio Snow Crab is easily digestible, and has all nine amino acids the body can’t produce itself — a complete protein of the highest quality.

A 3.0 oz portion of wild Alaska Opilio Snow Crab portion contains 8.8 mcg of Vitamin B-12 (367% DV). There are many benefits of B-12:

  • Promotes bone mineralization
  • Ensures muscles, heart, lungs, and brain function properly
  • Plays neuroprotective role
  • Acts as a hormone

Sustainability

In Alaska, protecting the future of both the stocks and environment take priority over opportunities for commercial harvest. State and federal agencies collaborate to determine each year’s harvest limits, and monitor the season in real-time to determine when these limits have been met. Additional measures, such as the catch share programs and a stringent on-board observer program ensure sustainably harvested wild Alaska Opilio Snow crab will be available for generations to come.

The Opilio Snow crab harvest is limited by the 3 S’s: Size, Sex, and Season. Only males of legal carapace width can be caught and the industry-preferred size is 4 inches and above, harvest is not permitted during mating and molting!