Coastal Aquaculture and Mariculture (2+1)

Unit 6 - Culture of Crustaceans

6.2. Mud Crab Culture

Crabs are a high value export commodity. Increase in demand and decrease in supply has prompted the development of crab culture technology.

Advantages

• Rehabilitation of fisheries
• Abandoned shrimp ponds can be used for crab culture.
• Possible to supply prescribed product ( e.g. size, sex, maturity stages, soft shelled crabs) specifically catering to consumer demand

Weaknesses

• Absence of proper technology
• High labour and production cost
• Lack of seed stock and commercial crab farms.

Species suitable for culture

• Scylla serrate
• Scylla tranquibarica
• Scylla oceanica