There are a number of major concerns in aquaculture of mud crab for fattening and soft-shell production. These are essential in understanding how to avail ourselves of the best in terms of sustainability in this sector.

Current condition of Mud Crab Culture:

Mud crab culture is still in its infancy in Bangladesh. Traditional fisheries have operated, but recent trends and directions in aquaculture are becoming clearer. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has taken cognizance of the great potentiality of mud crab farming and initiated programs for its promotion as a livelihood option for coastal communities.

Production Level: 

While the exact figures for the production of mud crab are not available, a general assumption is that it increases every year. The Bangladesh Fishery Department reports more crab culture farms are being set up, with particular additional units at Cox’s Bazar and Khulna, where brackish water is in plenty and excellent for S. serrata.

Market demand: The demand for mud crab is increasing significantly, especially in the leading countries like China, Vietnam, and Thailand. There is also a rise in local consumption in the local markets, which is acting as a positive indication for farmers and motivating them to further invest in mud crab culture Islam et al. 2019. The export market is also developing to be a very lucrative one where mud crab is considered to be an epicure

Mud Crab’s Current Issues and Shortcomings:

1. Disease Management

Problem: Mud crabs are susceptible to a number of diseases, including pathogenic bacteria and viruses that could wipe out an entire stock. In most cases, an outbreak results in huge economic losses for farmers.

Shortcoming: Most of the farms have not put proper measures that would help in controlling outbreaks concerning biosecurity.

Solution: Full biosecurity protocols regarding disease risks should be in place, complemented with regular health monitoring and vaccination strategies. Another important thing is teaching farmers the best practices concerning disease management.

2. Water Quality Management

Problem: Water quality is considered one of the factors in mud crab health and growth. Poor oxygen levels, high ammonia levels, and fluctuating salinity are some of the problems faced that depreciate the performance of productions.

Shortcoming: Poor practice in water management and poor tooling to monitor it hence poor water conditions.

Solution: Advanced aquatic water quality monitoring systems can be applied. Develop regularly monitored tests to maintain the stability of conditions. RAS could serve as one avenue to improve efficiency in water management.

3. Feeding Practices

Problem: Generally, mud crab nutrition is poorly understood. Hence, slow growth and poor feed conversion ratio.

Deficiency: Most farmers rely on using low-quality foods or remain uneducated about requirements that address nutritional needs.

Strategy: Nutritional requirement studies on mud crab would give way to nutritionally adequate feeds. Education on appropriate feeding strategies would spur growth performance improvement.

4. Habitat Destruction

Problem: The expansion in mud crab aquaculture poses a threat to environmental deterioration through demarcating areas, especially mangrove wetlands for pond construction.

Shortcoming: Unsustainable management practices contribute to adverse ecological impacts such as loss of biodiversity.

Solution: Encourage integrated mangrove restoration with sustainable farming practices to reduce environmental impacts. Training programs on Sustainable Aquaculture certification can enhance friendly environmental practices.

5. Market Access and Price Volatility

Problem: Farmers often face unpredictable access to the market and unstable prices, which put their profitability at risk.

Gaps: Poor access to market information and lack of cooperatives that could help farmers negotiate better prices.

Solution: The formation of cooperatives would provide them with better negotiation powers. Better market intelligence networks would enable them to make better decisions about uncontrollable price fluctuations.

6. Regulatory Issues

Problem Identification: Aquaculture legislations are sometimes inappropriate and senseless which make things more unfavorable to the new entrant farmers in the business.

Shortcoming: Ill-defined legislation may cause some legal implications due to failure to act in compliance with.

This will ensure that harmonization of regulatory processes and guidelines on the undertaking of aquaculture operations ensures that compliance will not hamper growth within the sector.

Sustainable Practices

Sustainable aquaculture is an important aspect that will ensure the long-term sustainability of mud crab farming.

• Integrated Farming Systems: Integration of mud crab culture with other aquaculture practices such as shrimp or fish farming improves productivity and efficient use of resources. The crab populations will be healthy if the mangrove ecosystems are conserved and appropriate practices for enhancing water quality are forwarded.
• Research and Development: Disease-resistant strains and better management practices for crabs will increase productivity and sustainability by investing in much-needed research to develop appropriate strains.

Future Prospects:

The future looks promising, provided the challenges facing mud crab culture in Bangladesh are addressed. In addition, policymakers should pay huge attention toward sustainability in aquaculture with a view toward environmental conservation and economic growth simultaneously. These collaborations will be able to build capacity through knowledge sharing, enhance farming practices, and lead to more strategic decision making.

Research and development investment will also lead to further improvement in breeding techniques and disease management so that mud crab culture resilient against environmental changes. With such increasing demand globally, Bangladesh has a bright future as a significant player in the export market for mud crabs.

Recommendations

Following feasibility and sustainability of mud crab culture in Bangladesh will be benefited with the following efforts:

• Capacity Building: Impart training programs regarding best practices in crab farming, disease management, and sustainable techniques of aquaculture to farmers.
• Infrastructure Development: Enhance transport and storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market accessibility.
• Research Collaboration: Encourage partnerships among government agencies, academic institutions, and NGOs to promote research and innovations in crab farming.
• Policy Framework: Establish a comprehensive policy framework that incentivizes sustainable practices and protects the coastal ecosystem.
• Community Engagement: Engage local communities in decision-making processes for aquaculture development and allow their needs and insights to be taken into consideration.

These are setbacks and inadequacies that must be overcome with regard to mud crab aquaculture through multi-dimensional processes. Farming would, nevertheless, be more feasible and supportive if improvements are made in amendments related to disease management, water quality, feeding practices, environmental impacts, market access, and regulatory issues. It would need the integration of a researcher, farmers, and policy makers in bringing about innovative solutions as the key to the long-term success of this industry.

Farhana Islam
Agriculturist, Researcher
Fisheries Resource Management, CVASU

The post Current issues, shortcomings and solution in mud crab aquaculture (fattening & soft shell) in Bangladesh appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

The pivotal moment arrived in November last year, as Crabs Alive, with the support of the renowned mud crab advisory group Scylla, successfully produced its first batch of crabs from the nursery. Building on this success, a second batch followed in December, laying the foundation for a new era in mud crab farming in Kenya.

Justin Aniere, in a press release, expressed optimism about Kenya becoming a significant player in the mud crab farming industry, catering to both domestic and international markets.

Crabs Alive has garnered approval and support from various local and international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project, backed by the World Bank.

Looking ahead, Crabs Alive has ambitious plans for expansion, aiming to grow its nursery and hatchery production facilities. Collaborating with local community farmers is on the agenda to achieve commercial-scale mud crab production. Moreover, the company envisions leveraging government aquaculture facilities to achieve the first commercial quantities of farmed crabs in Kenya.

Crabs Alive is also committed to collaboration with the local Bahari Hai Conservation Group to support the conservation of the mud crab fishery. As mud crab aquaculture relies on access to mature crabs for breeding, fostering a healthy local fishery is vital until domesticated stocks can meet the demand. With these strategic initiatives, Crabs Alive is paving the way for a sustainable future for mud crab farming in Kenya.

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Khair Uddin Ahmed, President of BLCFEA, highlighted that the export of live mud crab and eel fish has been a non-traditional but lucrative venture for three decades. However, he stressed that the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) might mandates the establishment of a standard packing center in a commercial area for exporting such species to its market. Currently, all packing centers are situated in residential areas, posing a risk of potential disruptions in exports.

Expressing concerns, Ahmed emphasized the need for urgent allocation of an Economic Processing Zone (EPZ) near the national airport. This move aims to bolster foreign currency reserves, meet buyer demands, and ensure the export of high-quality products while adhering to international standards.

A senior official from the commerce ministry confirmed receiving the BLCFEA’s request for an economic zone catering to local exporters of live eel and crab. The sector, a significant contributor to foreign currency earnings, has faced challenges due to the COVID-19 fallout. Export constraints and compliance hurdles have affected supply to China, a crucial market for crab and eel fish.

To mitigate these challenges, the BLCFEA is advocating for the establishment of an EPZ, positioning it strategically for efficient exports. Currently, the sector benefits from a 10% cash incentive on crab and eel fish exports. Despite export setbacks, particularly to China, the sector remains vital, with a substantial portion of crab and eel fish exports being directed to the Chinese market. In the fiscal year 2022-23, Bangladesh exports totaled 7,452 tonnes live mud crab, and 2,771.54 tonnes of eel fish, primarily to China.

As the industry seeks solutions to navigate challenges and enhance its global competitiveness, the establishment of a dedicated economic zone near the airport could prove instrumental in sustaining and expanding Bangladesh’s live and chilled food export sector.

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Locally called “cuchia”, the freshwater eels are technically swamp eels rather than true eels.

The Bangladesh Crab Exporters’ Association’s secretary, Abul Kashem Gazi, said that “mud eels are in high demand in China. We fulfill less than ten percent of the demand for mud eels in China. A week’s supply can account for eight tons of exports. An increase in mud eel production would generate significant foreign earnings for Bangladesh.”

Furthermore, crab farming in Bangladesh, specially in Khulna, has increased, and it has emerged as a potential export earner due to its high demand in East and Southeast Asian countries.

Its main market is China, despite the fact that Bangladeshi crabs are imported by a variety of countries, including Hong Kong, Myanmar, Vietnam, Japan, and Malaysia.

“In Bangladesh, crabs can be grown in a long coastal belt, so the country has good potential. The 1.3 billion population of China provides huge opportunities for selling crabs during winter,” said Alam of ZF Trade International.

“The more we grow, the more exports we will be able to accomplish,” he added.

Here to note, for enhancing the crab industry in Bangladesh, the importance of crab hatchery is now very evident than any other time. During the production season, scarcity of crablets is hindering the development of this promising sector and incur potential losses of foreign exchange.

In contrast to the mud eel and crab producers and exporters, the shrimp industry is experiencing difficulties.

Data from the Khulna Office of Fish Inspection and Quality Control (FIQC) indicate that 24,100 tons of Bagda (P. monodon) and Galda (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) were exported from the Khulna region during the fiscal year 2021-22 and 19,900 tons during the fiscal year 2022-23. This indicates a gradual decline in production.

Many factors have contributed to the decrease in shrimp production in Khulna. This includes the decrease in brackish water sources, virus attacks, farmers’ unwillingness to adopt modern methods, and the inability to obtain disease-free fries.

A shrimp farmer in the Daulatpur area of Khulna stated that there is insufficient water in the water bodies to support shrimp production. Additionally, he noted that there is always an outbreak of virus infections.

Furthermore, shrimp farmers are also experiencing losses as a result of an increase in feed prices.

“Having suffered losses, no shrimp farmer wants to engage in shrimp farming anymore,” he added.

The Department of Fisheries (DoF)-Khulna reports that 38,892 farms are cultivating Galda shrimp in the district, covering 19,016.44 hectares (ha), but producing only 13,592 tons.

Based on statistics from the last five years, the production of shrimp has been continuously declining throughout Bangladesh, resulting in a decline in overall exports.

It is estimated that 39,706 tons of frozen shrimp were exported in the financial year 2016-17, which decreased to 36,168 tons in the fiscal year 2017-18. According to the latest data from Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association, exports decreased to 33,306 tons in 2018-19 and 30,036 tons in 2019-20.

Nevertheless, this expert believes that government patronage and regulations can bring shrimp farming back to its heyday.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

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About 30% of Cambodia’s land area is covered by wetlands, and this area supports one of the largest, most diverse, and most intensive freshwater fisheries in the world. The freshwater and marine resources of Cambodia are generally rich in biodiversity. Due to population growth, climate change, and advancing fishing technology, the consumption of fish and seafood has increased in recent days. Similarly, Phnom Penh is seeing an increase in demand for Scylla mud crabs, another coveted seafood.

Since seafood demand has grown in recent years, aquaculture and culture-based fisheries have been essential to household incomes. Since Phnom Penh is landlocked, there are few opportunities for aquaculture.

Yet the Capital’s Meanchey district has seen a modern mud crab farm pioneered by a young Cambodian engineer with no previous agricultural experience. Odom Tithya, the owner of Phnom Penh Mud Crab Farm, began by using 60 square meters of his family’s backyard as a space for his business.

He describes how he started his business: “Initially, I noticed that local seafood eateries lacked crabs, with shrimp and squid dominating the menu. In response, I came up with the idea of introducing Scylla mud crabs to the market.”

In order to master the technique, he had to overcome numerous problems because Covid-19 had moved teaching online, he explained.

In Tithya’s opinion, the scarcity of such farms contributes to the high demand for his farmed mud crabs.

“The perishable nature of the product makes sourcing it from the local market difficult and expensive. Its future potential, therefore, lies in this business,” he said.

In Tithya’s opinion, he entered the Phnom Penh mud crab industry early on. Although he was a civil engineer, he was fascinated by the prospect of crab farming. Taking advantage of online resources, he gained knowledge from Malaysian and Philippine practices.

According to Tithya, crabs are not raised from an early age, unlike traditional methods. Upon acquiring mature crabs, he stores them in storage-like boxes until sale, notably from Preah Sihanouk and Koh Kong provinces. With this innovative technique, hygiene can be guaranteed and prices can be competitive with those from sea-based farms.

Currently, he is growing 1,000 different types of mud crabs, with prices ranging from 20,000 riel to 120,000 riel per kilogram ($5 to $30). In addition to restaurants and seafood sellers, individuals are the primary clients.

As the business model develops, Tithya anticipates significant profitability.

“Let’s say I have 1,000 boxes in my farm. My sales can reach 300-400kg a day if I sell 500 crabs to a restaurant and replenish the boxes. Several thousands of dollars could be generated by this business at $20 per kg,” he said.

Aquaculture in landlocked cities is not a new concept. Denver, for example, is tackling sustainable seafood in a landlocked city. Punjab’s landlocked Bathinda district is the site of India’s second freshwater aquaculture research center. Moreover, Landlocked Midwest cities of the United States are now home to fish farming. The tiny mountainous landlocked country Lesotho, which is entirely surrounded by South Africa, became famous for its fishing industry.

It is, however, a relatively new concept in landlocked Phnom Penh to raise Scylla mud crabs. Nonetheless, it has a long future ahead of it.

In addition to shrimp and squid, Tithya plans to expand the business to more shops in Phnom Penh. Furthermore, due to its modest time requirements, it is suitable for those seeking part-time work or enhancing their skills.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

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Mud Crab Farming in Bangladesh:

Mud crab farming is growing in popularity in Bangladesh’s coastal areas. It is a promising potential exportable item and a source of income for Bangladesh’s coastal underprivileged people.

The geographical location and climate of Bangladesh, make it the most fertile coastal region in the world. Mud crab farming is ideally suited to Bangladesh. Because of the natural condition, Mud crab farming has become simpler in the coastal districts, Satkhira and Cox’s Bazar regions. Availability of brackish water, ideal salinity and temperature conditions made favorable for crab farming in this area. Mud crabs are more resilient to harmful environmental factors and the effects of climate change than shrimp. For that reason, many shrimp farmers are switching over to mud crab farming in Bangladesh.

There are three kinds of farming group activities that have been overserved in the Satkhira area. The primary group of farmers collect the crablets from the suppliers. Then the crablets are reared till to a certain weight stage to sell again to the secondary farmers group. Now the 2nd group of farmers purchase them for fattening and once they reach optimum weights, they sell them to the exporting entities. There are other group farmers, who rear mud crabs for collecting the molted one which is called “soft shell crab”.

The process of soft shell crab farming involves maintaining crabs separately in plastic containers in brackish water ponds. Supplementing their diets, and harvesting the crabs right after molting, when the exoskeleton is shed. In Cox’s Bazar, soft shell crab farming is taking place recently on a very small scale. But there are thousands of hard sell crab farmers in 6 upazila of Cox’s Bazar. This number is increasing every year.

The Sundarbans and coastal regions of the Cox’s Bazaar are the primary sources of crab seeds used in the current mud crab aquaculture. Crab seeds are found in abundant numbers throughout the long coastal line. Seed supply is entirely dependent on wild sources. A significant amount of crab seeds is being taken because of crab farming in Bangladesh due to the increase of crab farmers. Every year for a certain period of time, crab seed collection is prohibited by the rule of the department of fisheries to protect the biodiversity

Crab hatchery can be the best answer for biodiversity risk. There’s a govt crab hatchery at Kolatali, Cox’s Bazaar. Unfortunately, it was closed from a few days after the inauguration program back in 2019, due to the absence of a technical person. There are a couple of other crab hatchery initiatives available in the country with the association of PKSF. One at Shyamnagar, Satkhira and another one at Kolatoli, Cox’s Bazaar.

Exporting Potentiality of Crabs in Bangladesh:

Bangladeshi mud crabs are exported to many countries around the globe. Asian countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong are importing hard shell live mud crabs. Where Japan, South Korea are mostly importing live frozen soft shell crab. Australia, USA and EU countries are importing soft shell crabs from Bangladesh as well. The Netherlands and Germany are the top soft shell crab importer among the EU nations.

Bangladesh’s crabs already have a good reputation among the importing countries. This sector now requires more exposure and new markets to excel. Bangladesh Mud Crab industry is still in the learning stage compared to other crab exporting countries. So, it can be an opportunity for the foreign importing entities. Among many, companies like Handy Inc, DNI group from USA, Fisherman’s Choice, Seafood Connection from the Netherlands are importing soft shell crab from Bangladesh. These companies know their business very well and it’s evident Bangladesh’s crab industry is on the right track.

According to EPB (Export promotion) data, during the current FY22-23, so far $5.27 million has been earned. Whereas in July to Dec FY21-22, it was $11.82 million. Ongoing recession has a great impact on the export trend all over the world. Bangladesh is no different.

According to Shafiqul Alam, live crab exporter, “We mostly ship crabs to China where there is a great demand for it”. During the winter, hard shell crabs are frequently available, according to Alam. The industry has some difficulties. We have a limited number of countries where we can export. Additionally, there are times when flights are full and shipment of live crab gets delayed. Which resulted in huge loss for the death of the crabs. He urged the government to pay extra care and incentives for boosting crab exports.

Along with solving existing issues, we found out, there should be more crab hatcheries to supply crab seeds to the farmers. During the peak season, farmers are always in shortage. If the supply is ensured, this sector can generate 3 folds of foreign revenue than the regular.

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