Alaska
Genetic diversity in Alaska’s red king crab may provide climate change resilience
New genetic research on the Alaska red king crab reveals previously undiscovered diversity among different regions, suggesting the species is more resilient to climate change and changing ocean conditions.
Maintaining genetic diversity within and among populations is vital to ensure species are resilient to challenging conditions. Without it, a single disease or set of conditions—such as a prolonged change in ocean acidification—could drive a species to extinction.
Fortunately, new research has revealed more genetic diversity across Alaska’s red king crab populations than originally documented. This suggests that the species will be more resilient in the face of changing conditions like ocean warming. However, any efforts to enhance red king crab populations need to be careful not to affect this genetic diversity.
King crab in Alaska
Historically, the red king crab fishery was Alaska’s top shellfish fishery. It’s embedded in the culture of Alaska’s working waterfronts and king crabs have been the centerpiece of holiday feasts around the world. However, the red king crab fishery collapsed in the 1980s. Since 1983, most populations have been depressed statewide and the Gulf of Alaska fishery remains closed.
Wes Larson is co-author of the research published in Evolutionary Applications and the genetics program manager at the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center. He reflects, “When it comes to understanding crab biomass declines and how to recover populations, we need to better understand population structure and local adaptation. There are a lot of concerned and invested fishermen, processors, and community members getting more engaged in these issues and it’s propelling new and innovative research.”
To dig into this need, Larson and a team of collaborators embarked on a study to generate whole genome sequencing data on red king crab in different locations across Alaska. The benefit of whole genome sequencing over previous methods is that it’s akin to reading the full story of an organism’s makeup instead of just a chapter or two. This holistic approach offers more robust analysis in order to tease apart similarities and differences between locations.
New genetics research in Alaska
Traditionally, information about commercially important species comes from fisheries-dependent data (collected on commercial fishing vessels) or independent surveys (from scientific research vessels). From these, we gather data on abundance, size, sex, reproductive status, diet, etc.
Genetics tools help to fill in the information gaps from traditional surveys, and can be used to:
- Define stock of origin
- Assess local adaptation
- Document genetic diversity and inbreeding
Whole genome sequencing builds on past methods by enhancing our ability to detect important differences between populations at finer scales.
Red king crab live in diverse environments—from coastal bays in the north, to open sea shelves in the Bering Sea. They also live in small bays and fjords fed by glacial melt in Southeast Alaska and the Gulf of Alaska. King crab in Alaska generally inhabit the following five regions:
- Southeast Alaska
- Gulf of Alaska
- Aleutian Islands
- Eastern Bering Sea
- Norton Sound / Chukchi Sea.
Previous genetic studies have hypothesized that king crab from these regions are split into three genetic groups:
- Southeast Alaska
- Gulf of Alaska / East Bering Sea
- Aleutian Islands / Norton Sound.
However, these studies used older genetic techniques, which may not provide the resolution necessary to accurately define genetic structure. The current study reinvestigated the genetic structure of the red king crab in all five regions using high-resolution data derived from whole genome sequencing.
The results of this study were revealing and informative. Scientists found substantial genetic structure within populations and genetic diversity between regions. In some cases, scientists observed this diversity between populations separated by only a few hundred kilometers.
“Crabs have pelagic larvae, so this is very surprising given the potential for ocean currents to distribute these larvae long distances,” said Larson. “However, these populations do not seem to be mixing and have become genetically isolated.”
Ultimately, the previous hypothesis of three genetic groupings was revised by this whole genome sequencing study. This updated method provided more clarity of fine-scale genetic differences than previous methods. The data indicate that there are six, possibly seven, genetically distinct populations:
- Southeast Alaska
- Gulf of Alaska
- Aleutian Islands
- Bristol Bay
- Pribilof Islands
- Norton Sound / Chukchi Sea
Data showed previously unrecognized differences between the Gulf of Alaska and East Bering Sea regions. And the East Bering Sea region is split into separate Bristol Bay and Pribilof Islands populations.
Researchers also found that the Aleutian Islands and Norton Sound/Chukchi Sea regions are unique. Data suggests that Norton Sound and Chukchi Sea may be distinct as well. However, further research is required to determine if this is the case.
Scientists attribute this genetic diversity to a combination of factors including populations deriving from different glacial refugia. These are areas that remained ice-free during the lce Age. And more recently, natural selection (genetic changes driven by adaptation) and genetic drift (genetic changes that are random) likely contributed to this diversity. The research documented evidence of local adaptation in most populations.
Fisheries management implications
The scientists’ approach to sequence the whole genome of red king crabs was a more detailed method using orders of magnitude more data than previous studies.
It also confirmed that fisheries are being managed effectively by region in Alaska. For example, crab stocks in the Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, Bristol Bay, and Pribilofs Islands regions are each managed separately. Prior to this new research, the Bristol Bay and Pribilof Islands were not found to be genetically distinct. This new understanding reinforces that we should continue to manage them separately.
Understanding population structure, and these newly discovered genetic signals of local adaptation, is also important for preventing overfishing on genetically unique populations. And it’s critical to provide information on how local adaptations influence responses to different climatic conditions.
We may find that some populations have the potential to fare better in future climate conditions that are likely as climate change progresses. Genetics can also reveal shifts in population distribution. Some shifts may already be underway in the Bering Sea as the North Pacific warms.
Finally, with the Gulf of Alaska population being depressed, scientists would expect a higher potential for inbreeding and lower genetic diversity. However, researchers found no evidence of reduced diversity, meaning genetic health did not suffer as the population declined. This foundation of genetic diversity means that genetic factors should not limit recovery.
This research also provides important data that can be used to inform broodstock selection for red king crab enhancement programs. Enhancement programs raise young crabs in hatcheries and release them into the wild to enhance the population.
Given the genetic diversity of red king crab across Alaska, it’s vital to prioritize local broodstock for enhancement before sourcing from elsewhere. This helps to keep genetic diversity intact and ensures that the genetic integrity of locally adapted populations is not jeopardized.
More information:
Carl A. St. John et al, Whole Genome Sequencing Reveals Substantial Genetic Structure and Evidence of Local Adaptation in Alaskan Red King Crab, Evolutionary Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1111/eva.70049
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Genetic diversity in Alaska’s red king crab may provide climate change resilience (2025, January 13)
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Alaska
Alaska High School Girls Basketball 2026 ASAA State Championship Brackets – March 10
The 2026 Alaska high school girls basketball state championships begin this week, and High School On SI has brackets for all four classifications.
The brackets will be updated with scores and matchups throughout the week.
All four classifications will play their state championship games at Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage.
The 1A and 2A championships run March 11-14. Classes 3A and 4A play the following week, March 18-21.
Alaska High School Girls Basketball 2026 State Championship Brackets, Matchups, Schedule – March 10
3/11 – Shaktoolik (1) vs. Arlicaq (16)
3/11 – Kake (8) vs. Tri-Valley (9)
3/11 – Fort Yukon (4) vs. Andreafski (13)
3/11 – Sand Point (5) vs. Napaaqutgmiut (12)
3/11 – Scammon Bay (2) vs. Nunamiut (15)
3/11 – Akiuk Memorial (7) vs. Newhalen (10)
3/11 – Davis-Romoth (3) vs. Cook Inlet Academy (14)
3/11 – Hoonah (6) vs. Shishmaref (11)
3/12 – Seward (1) vs. Chevak (8)
3/12 – Metlakatla (4) vs. Cordova (5)
3/12 – Craig (2) vs. Susitna Valley (7)
3/12 – Glennallen (3) vs. Degnan (6)
3/18 – Barrow (1) vs. Kotzebue (8)
3/18 – Grace Christian (4) vs. Galena (5)
3/18 – Monroe Catholic (2) vs. Delta (7)
3/18 – Mt. Edgecumbe (3) vs. Kenai Central (6)
3/18 – Mountain City Christian Academy (1) vs. North Pole (8)
3/18 – Colony (4) vs. West (5)
3/18 – Bartlett (2) vs. Juneau-Douglas (7)
3/18 – Wasilla (3) vs. Service (6)
More Coverage from High School On SI
Alaska
Made In The USA: The Alaska Wall Tent By The Alaska Gear Company
This is the Alaska Wall Tent by the Alaska Gear Company, each one is made in the United States from Sunforger 13oz DLX, a double-filled, pre-shrunk, marine-grade canvas ideal for longterm outdoor use.
The Alaska Wall Tent comes in an array of sizes and versions, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your individual use-case. They’re all individually made in Alaska, and perhaps even more importantly, they’re all tested extensively to be able to handle local conditions.

This is the Alaska Wall Tent by the Alaska Gear Company, each one is made in the United States from Sunforger 13oz DLX, a double-filled, pre-shrunk, marine-grade canvas ideal for longterm outdoor use.
History Speedrun: The Alaska Gear Company
The Alaska Gear Company was formerly known as Airframes Alaska, it’s an aviation and outdoor equipment supplier and manufacturer headquartered in Palmer, Alaska. The company is led by majority owner Sean McLaughlin, who bought the original bush airplane parts business when it had just two employees and $100,000 in annual revenue. McLaughlin has since grown it to approximately 100 employees and $20 million in annual sales.
The company can trace its early roots to a licensed maker of Piper PA-18 Super Cub fuselages at Birchwood Airport. Through a series of acquisitions, including Reeve Air Motive (an aircraft parts retailer operating out of Anchorage’s Merrill Field since 1950, Alaska Tent & Tarp, and Northern Sled Works, the company grew well beyond aviation into outdoor recreation and cold-weather gear.
That diversification ultimately drove the rebrand from Airframes Alaska to Alaska Gear Company in late 2023, as the old name no longer conveyed the full scope of what the company produces and sells.
The Alaska Gear Company now operates out of three locations – a 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Palmer, a production facility in Fairbanks, and a retail store with an in-house sewing workshop at Merrill Field in Anchorage.
Its product lines span two major categories. On the aviation side, the company is best known for its hand-built Alaskan Bushwheel tundra tires, FAA-approved titanium landing gear, Super Cub fuselage modifications, and a wide range of bush plane parts. On the outdoor side, it manufactures Arctic Oven hot tents, canvas wall tents, custom freight and pulk sleds, and a modernized version of the iconic military bunny boot designed for extreme cold weather conditions.
More recently in 2024, the Alaska Gear Company was named “Made in Alaska Manufacturer of the Year” by the Alaska Department of Commerce.
The Alaska Wall Tent By The Alaska Gear Company
The Alaska Canvas Wall Tent is a handmade-in-Alaska canvas tent made from 13oz Sunforger DLX double-filled, preshrunk, marine-grade cotton canvas that’s treated to resist fire, water, and mildew while still remaining breathable.
It comes in four sizes, including 8×10, 10×12, 12×14, and 14×16 feet, all with 5-foot wall heights, and it’s available either unframed (starting at $1,295) or with a frame (starting at $2,300). The unframed version can be constructed in the field using lengths of wood sourced from the area, reducing the initial pack weight – this is crucial for trips into the wilderness by bush plane where every pound of weight is critical.

It comes in four sizes, including 8×10, 10×12, 12×14, and 14×16 feet, all with 5-foot wall heights, and it’s available either unframed (starting at $1,295) or with a frame (starting at $2,300). The unframed version can be constructed in the field using lengths of wood sourced from the area, reducing the initial pack weight – this is crucial for trips into the wilderness by bush plane where every pound of weight is critical.
All tents include a 4.5 inch oval stove jack for use with wood or propane stoves, as well as a 56 inch triangular rear window with insect screening, an 18oz vinyl sod cloth around the base to block drafts and moisture, ridgepole openings at both ends, rope-reinforced eaves, brass grommets, overlapping door flaps with ties, a heavy-duty zippered door, and 100 feet of sisal rope for tie-downs.
The tents are now available to buy direct from the Alaska Gear Company here, and at the time of writing they have stock ready to ship out immediately.

Images courtesy of the Alaska Gear Company
Alaska
Lakes are growing in Alaska. That’s not entirely a bad thing
The St. Elias Mountains in southeast Alaska are dotted with over 100 lakes where glaciers crumble into milky, turquoise water. Those lakes are expanding at an ever-quickening pace.
The lakes will quadruple in size over the next century or two, scientists report March 9 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This growth will transform landscapes, create new salmon habitat and may even change the course of a major river.
“We are seeing the great age of ice retreat” in Alaska, says Daniel McGrath, a glaciologist at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. “These glaciers are just peeling back from the landscape,” revealing deep grooves they carved in the Earth, where lakes are now forming.
Glacial hydrologist Eran Hood of the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau, who was not part of the study, adds that “understanding where these lakes are going to emerge is important” because it “changes the whole nature of the downstream ecosystem.”
Hugging the coastline along the Alaska-Canada border, the tiny mountainous region that includes the St. Elias Mountains is losing 60 cubic kilometers of ice per year. Because lakes absorb solar heat, the glaciers that shed ice into lakes are shrinking faster than those that terminate on dry land. Across southeast Alaska, these lakes attached to glaciers have expanded by 60 percent since 1986, reaching a combined area of 1,300 square kilometers.
McGrath and his colleagues wondered how far this runaway expansion might go. So, they combined satellite images with estimates of ice thickness — mapping deeply eroded grooves that are still hidden under glaciers.
The results were “eye-opening,” McGrath says. The team identified 4,200 square kilometers of glacier-covered grooves adjacent to existing lakes.
He and his colleagues predict that the lakes will continue to expand — causing rapid ice retreat — until they fill those grooves, reaching a combined size of around 5,500 square kilometers, an area the size of Delaware.
“By the end of this century, all of these lakes will probably be more or less fully developed,” says study coauthor Louis Sass III, a glaciologist with the U.S. Geological Survey at the Alaska Science Center in Anchorage. But those growing lakes are already reshaping entire landscapes in a way that is often overlooked in public discourse around glacier retreat.
Many of Alaska’s glaciers terminate on dry land, and their meltwater often creates barren, rocky floodplains downstream, where the streams alternate between trickles and floods — constantly branching and shifting course as they lay down sediment released by the glacier.
“Those habitats are fairly inhospitable for a lot of fish,” including some salmon, says Jonathan Moore, an aquatic ecologist with Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, Canada. The water is too cold, and fish eggs “get swept out or buried by the floods every year.”
But as glaciers retreat into lakes and those lakes expand, their meltwater has time to drop its sediment and warm a few degrees in the lake before spilling into a river. Rivers that carry less sediment are less prone to shifting channels.
A 2025 study by Moore and remote sensing scientist Diane Whited of the University of Montana found that as glacial lakes expanded over 38 years in southeast Alaska, the downstream river channels stabilized, allowing willows and bushes to spread across floodplains.
“It creates salmon habitat,” Hood says. A 2021 study by Moore and Hood predicted that by 2100, glacial retreat in southeast Alaska will transform 6,000 kilometers of river channels into decent habitat for some local species of salmon. The lakes themselves will create spawning grounds for sockeye salmon — an important commercial species.
But these changes will come with upheaval.
For instance, one major river, the Alsek, will probably shift its course as retreating glaciers cause two lakes to merge, providing an easier path to the ocean.
People in Juneau are feeling another dramatic effect of expanding lakes. At least once per year, a lake dammed by the nearby Mendenhall Glacier spills out in a flash flood that gushes through town, forcing some residents to build protective levees around their homes.
These ecosystems “are going to be transformed,” Moore says. “But that transformation is going to be pretty violent and pretty dangerous.”
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