“When Crab was King” opens with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Pratt Museum Special Exhibits Gallery. The exhibit combines the Kodiak Maritime Museum’s exhibit, “When Crab Was King: Faces of the Kodiak King Crab Fishery 1950-1982,” with stories of the commercial king crab fishery in Kachemak Bay. The Kodiak exhibit features portraits of 24 individuals who fished during the boom years of the Kodiak King Crab fishery, with oral histories presenting each of their stories. In the Pratt Museum’s presentation, visitors also will view historic films, hear stories from local fishermen and learn about the biology of the crab fishery and recent efforts to re-establish king crab in local waters. 

In conjunction with the crab exhibit, there are two special events during December. A Community Conversation is 5-7 p.m. Dec. 5. Bring stories and perspectives on crab fisheries of Kachemak Bay. Later in December at a time and place to be announced is the presentation, “A Crabby Colloquium: Recent Research and Fishery Management Perspectives,” featuring Megan Murphy and representatives from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game.