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.

Crab farming has surged in recent years across the salinity-prone coastal district of Satkhira, with many farmers shifting from shrimp farming to crabs due to the species’ resilience to climate conditions and high commercial value. However, the increased farming activity has led to a growing environmental problem, as discarded crab shells were often left to rot, causing pollution and odor issues. Aslam Hossain saw a solution where others saw waste and launched a venture that turns these shells into a commercially viable organic fertilizer.

Aslam’s innovation addresses two key issues: it reduces waste from crab farming while providing a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers. His business has been financially supported by the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and the World Bank under their Sustainable Enterprise Project (SEP), with additional local backing from the Nawabenki Ganamukhi Foundation (NGF).

The production process for Magiccompost is relatively straightforward. Crab shells are collected from local farms, dried, and ground into powder using a machine. These are then mixed with decomposing vegetables, collected from local markets and households, and left to decompose for up to two months. The final product is a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer, which is sun-dried, packaged, and sold at a profit. Magiccompost costs between $0.11-$0.13 to produce per kilogram, and is sold for $0.25 per kilogram.

Since its inception in 2021, the fertilizer has gained a growing customer base, with local shrimp farmers and vegetable growers using it to improve yields. Aslam’s enterprise has already caught the attention of 30 local shrimp farms and 20 commercial vegetable growers, who are utilizing the fertilizer to boost their production. The demand for Magiccompost is also rising among urban gardeners, many of whom place their orders through social media platforms like Facebook.

Crab farming in Satkhira has been on the rise due to the species’ climate resilience and lower susceptibility to diseases compared to shrimp. However, the increased production of crabs has also led to a rise in waste, with most crab shells previously discarded in rivers and landfills, leading to environmental degradation. By transforming this waste into a valuable fertilizer, Aslam is not only contributing to sustainable farming but also earning a monthly income of $250-$420.

Aslam Hossain’s long-term goal is to expand Magiccompost’s reach across the country, under his own brand name. He is currently in the process of obtaining approval from the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), which will allow him to market the fertilizer more widely. He also plans to scale up production, but requires additional infrastructure and investment to meet growing demand.

“Crab shell fertilizer has the potential to revolutionize sustainable farming in Bangladesh,” Aslam said. “With the right investment, we can expand production and provide farmers with an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers, while also tackling the waste problem in the crab farming industry.”

Aslam’s family has a long history in shrimp farming, with seven acres of land currently under shrimp cultivation. However, his success with Magiccompost has prompted him to focus more on sustainable solutions for agriculture.

The initiative stands as a prime example of how innovative thinking can turn environmental challenges into profitable and sustainable ventures. It is a story that not only benefits the local economy but also contributes to the global movement towards sustainable farming and waste management.

In a region grappling with the dual pressures of climate change and environmental degradation, Aslam Hossain’s Magiccompost is proving that solutions can be found by looking at challenges from a new perspective. With support from local organizations and potential investors, the future looks promising for this sustainable initiative.

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The new directive is aimed at streamlining the process of obtaining cash incentives for exporting frozen crabs and frozen soft shell crab. Previously, the certification from BLCFEA was required for an extended period of time. However, with the latest circular, the certification from BFFEA has now become mandatory for obtaining subsidies.

Though the condition of submitting the BLCFEA certificate along with the subsidy application for the export of live eel fish and crabs remains unchanged. This directive will be effective immediately for products shipped on or after April 25th.

Despite the new rules, the government of Bangladesh will continue to provide cash incentives ranging from 1 to 20 percent for the export of 43 types of products, including crabs and eel. The cash incentives are aimed at promoting and increasing the country’s exports of seafood products. It is important to note that Bangladesh has been exporting live crabs to China and Southeast Asia, as well as soft shell crabs to European countries like the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Spain and France sometime after 2014.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the first crab worth two thousand dollars was exported from Bangladesh in 1977. Since then, exports of crabs have been increasing. However, despite the increase, exports from Bangladesh are still not significant compared to other countries.

In conclusion, the new directive issued by the Bangladesh Bank will make it easier for exporters to obtain cash assistance for exporting frozen crabs and soft shell crab. With the change in the certification requirement, the government aims to streamline the process and encourage more companies to export seafood products.

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In Satkhira, soft shell crab farming has started from 2015 in a scattered way and now it’s a principle source of income for many people in that zone. Sudhanshu Shekhar Mandal once went to the Gharilal area of ​​Satkhira a few years ago and saw crab farming there. He then got motivated and planned to farm soft shell crabs in the same fashion. Mr. Mandal is the first person to start farming soft shell crab at Koyra upazila under Khulna district. In 2021, he leased two bighas of land for 18 thousand taka per year and started experimental crab farming. At that time there were only three thousand crabs in plastic boxes. That year he successfully cultivated 13,000 crabs in boxes. Last year 9 thousand kg of crab was produced. However, he expects that 25 thousand kg of crab will be produced this time.

This type of crab farming is quite simple. This method requires hundreds of plastic boxes floating in the water. Each box contains crabs (Scylla serrata). A crab of average size is put in the plastic box and placed on the surface of the water. While packing the crabs into the box, sometimes the smaller legs are removed, leaving only the two claws. It makes the crabs molt faster. Once they molt, the outer shell remains, that’s why it is called the “Soft Shell Crab”. Though within an hour or half, the outer shell grows hard again. These soft shell crabs are quite a seafood delicacy for many countries in the world.

There are frequent inspections of the plastic containers by the staff. They check whether any of the crabs have molted or not. Every 3-4 hours they check on the crab boxes. If they find a dead crab in a box, pick it up and bury it under the ground. Tilapia fish pieces weighing 5 to 8 grams are given to each box as food for the crabs every four days. Narayan Barman and Madhav Mondal, workers of his crab farm, said “we dug the enclosure five-six feet deep for crab farming. We do not use any type of fertilizer in the enclosure”.

According to Sudhanshu Shekhar Mondal, once they molt, boxes are cleaned with clear water and put back into the enclosure again. More or less in 15 days crab molts.  After collection of the soft shell crab, they are sold to different exporting factories from a place located near to the Burigoalini Forest Office in Satkhira. He makes roughly 5 lakh 50 thousand taka (USD 5500) selling 1000 kg of crab. In the dull season, the price of a kilogram of uncleaned soft shell crab is BDT 600-700 (USD 6-7); but, in peak season when the demand soars in foreign markets, prices can rise up to BDT 1400 – 1700 (USD 14-17) locally. Once the soft crabs are purchased, the processing factories clean and process them for export according to the buyer’s requirements. Soft shell crab season is from April to November every year. During winter, crabs don’t molt.

“Previously, there was just one box crab farming farm in Koyra, that was Tapu Soft Shell Farm,” stated by Koyra Upazila Fisheries Officer Aminul Haque. Within a year, a few more had constructed such farms. Box crab farming is a lucrative business. This approach does not waste food, and crab mortality is relatively low. Farmers can easily and rapidly open boxes and gather crabs to sell when crab prices climb.

By establishing these types of crab farms and avoiding the inherent dangers of fishing at sea or in rivers, this form of artificial farming is considered as a successful step towards making local fishing communities financially stable. This is significant since the government has taken stringent efforts to prohibit fishing at particular seasons in order to conserve stocks. The majority of crab growers reside in coastal areas, where the restriction has a significant impact on their livelihood.

The scenario is no different for Koyra upazila. Crab farming is providing locals with a fresh reason to be optimistic about an economy that had previously relied only on shrimp farming. The locals see this as a promising source for economic growth. And Sudhanshu Shekhar is the pioneer of crab farming in Koyra.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Dept. of Fisheries and Marine Science, NSTU

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