For discarded Tanner crab, Blackburn and Schmidt (1988) estimated mortality to be 17% in the bottom trawl fishery in the Gulf of Alaska by recording the viability of a subset of crab intended for discard. Viability was based on injuries, missing appendages or mouthparts, and strength of movement. In this study only a portion of the catch was sampled, the results were heavily influenced by one tow, and the methods did not factor in the relationship between viability and mortality. Stevens (1990) estimated mortality rates to be 78% for discarded Tanner crab in the Bering Sea bottom trawl fishery through a holding experiment. This value, however, is outdated given that the study was completed more than two decades ago, using fishing gear that was configured differently than what is currently used, and using fishing practices that have changed (current tow durations and captivity times are shorter). An updated, more systematic estimate of mortality for discarded Tanner crab is needed.