(Keyport LLC
A Keyport ship docked at Lake Union in Seattle in June 2018. The ship spends most of the year in Alaska harvesting Golden King crab in the Bering Sea. During the summer it ties up for maintenance and repairs at Lake Union.

(Keyport LLC A Keyport ship docked at Lake Union in Seattle in June 2018. The ship spends most of the year in Alaska harvesting Golden King crab in the Bering Sea. During the summer it ties up for maintenance and repairs at Lake Union.

In crabbers’ turbulent moment, Edmonds seafood processor ‘saved our season’

When a processing plant in Alaska closed, Edmonds-based business Keyport stepped up to solve a “no-win situation.”

EDMONDS — When a seafood processing plant in Alaska shut down in the middle of crabbing season, fishermen found themselves in a pinch.

Under the state’s quota system, harvesters can only catch a set amount of crab each year. And they must deliver 90% of their catch to a processor with a corresponding quota.

With the Peter Pan Seafood facility closed this winter in King Cove, there was no one to process their catch.

That’s when Keyport, an Edmonds-based company, stepped up to the plate.

“When Peter Pan announced they were shutting down, a lot of fishermen came to us asking for help,” Keyport CEO Mark Pedersen said.

Mark Pedersen, CEO of Edmonds-based Keyport. (Keyport LLC)

Mark Pedersen, CEO of Edmonds-based Keyport. (Keyport LLC)

The crab and seafood distributer operates multiple seafood and crab processing facilities in Alaska.

Born and raised in the 49th state, Pedersen and his brother, Kurt, are part of a fifth-generation fishing family. Together, they run the family-owned business, one of the largest crab suppliers in United States.

Kurt Pedersen, president and chief operating officer of Edmonds-based Keyport. (Keyport LLC)
Kurt Pedersen, president and chief operating officer of Edmonds-based Keyport. (Keyport LLC)

Kurt Pedersen, president and chief operating officer of Edmonds-based Keyport. (Keyport LLC) Kurt Pedersen, president and chief operating officer of Edmonds-based Keyport. (Keyport LLC)

Founded in 1997 by their dad, Darryl, Keyport moved its corporate office from Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood to downtown Edmonds in 2018. (No, they don’t process seafood in Edmonds. That’s just their headquarters.)

If you dine on king crab at a restaurant or buy from a retailer, there’s a “good chance it came from Keyport,” said Joanne Kennedy, the company’s marketing director.

Keyport acquired Peter Pan’s crab quota and processed the catch.

“With boats actively harvesting, many in the fleet were looking at a no-win situation of being matched to a processor who wasn’t in the position to purchase crab,” said Chri Hensel, vice president of finance at Aleutian Spray Fisheries. “At a very turbulent moment, Keyport found a solution that saved our season.”

Keyport was able to work the additional catch into its existing crab processing schedule, Pedersen said.

At Keyport’s shore-based plants, the crab is cooked in the shell and then prepared for shipping. (Some people don’t realize that the bright red whole crabs and crab legs iced and on display locally are already cooked. A gentle warming is usually all that’s needed, Pedersen said.)

“We were eager to assist the fishermen and appreciate Peter Pan’s cooperation in allowing us to assume management of the processing quota for the remainder of the season,” Pedersen said.

Keyport will manage the processing quota for the crab fisheries for both the Eastern Bering Sea Tanner and Western Bering Sea Tanner.

The move expands Keyport’s processing portfolio, which includes Alaska Red King crab, Golden King crab and Bairdi crab.

“The last few years have been challenging for crab harvesters,” Pedersen said. “With livelihoods at stake, we are glad to be able to help the industry adapt and find an approach that supports the stewardship of the fishery, fleet, and coastal communities.”

Preparing King Crab:

Alaska King, Snow, and Dungeness crab is precooked and flash-frozen in a thick, ice glaze. To prepare, simply thaw, rinse and serve chilled or warmed in its shell.

• Thaw: Place the crab on a rimmed tray, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to thaw 24 hours in the refrigerator. It’s best to prepare it as soon as it’s been defrosted but it can keep for a day or two in the refrigerator.

• Rinse: Once it’s thawed, rinse the crab under cold water. Alaska crab is wrapped in a thick, protective layer of ice to preserve flavor and quality. Rinsing thoroughly removes any last traces of this glaze.

• Heat: If you prefer to serve your crab warm, remember to be gentle when heating to avoid overcooking. Grilling, steaming, and roasting are all good options. Since Alaska crab is typically pre-cooked, it only requires a few minutes of heat to warm.

Captain Anna’s King Crab Pasta Carbonara

Anna Capri, co-captain of the fishing vessel Erla-N, offers one of her favorite recipes: Golden King Crab Pasta Carbonara.

Slightly sweeter and lighter than its Red King cousin, Alaska Golden King crab is the perfect choice for this dish, but it can also be made with Alaska Red King, Bairdi or Dungeness crab. Here’s a link to the video: tinyurl.com/26wy8dmd

Ingredients:

1/2 to 1 lb King crab

4 slices of bacon

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan and Romano

3/4 package of noodles (linguini, angel hair)

2 eggs + 2 egg yolks

1/2 to 3/4 cup hot water (reserved from pasta water)

Saltep and per to taste

Italian parsley for garnish

Instructions:

Begin by chopping and cooking bacon in a large pan, ensuring to drain or blot any excess fat.

Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to boil, add salt, and cook the pasta until it reaches the “al dente” stage, following the package instructions.

In a separate bowl, combine two eggs, two egg yolks, and the Parmesan with Romano.

Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.

Drain the pasta and transfer it to the pan with the cooked bacon.

Quickly and continuously stir in the egg-Parmesan mixture, ensuring a creamy consistency.

Adjust the sauce thickness by gradually adding the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.

Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste.

Remove from heat and gently fold in the Golden King Crab leg meat. The pasta will warm the crab.

Garnish the dish with Italian parsley and more Parmesan.

Serve alongside a refreshing salad.

Janice Podsada: 425-339-3097; jpodsada@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @JanicePods.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.