The National R&D Program on Blue Swimming Crabs is paving the way to increase production of this commercially important commodity. Funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), the program aims to refine existing technologies on hatchery and grow-out culture and develop nursery culture of blue swimming crabs for sustainability and industry competitiveness.
Portunus pelagicus, the blue swimming crab or locally known as ‘alimasag,’ ‘kasag,’ ‘masag,’ or ‘lambay,’ is a commercially important commodity in the Philippines. Blue swimming crabs are sold as traditional hard-shell or soft- shell crabs. It is a highly- priced delicacy throughout the country.
The Philippines ranked 3rd worldwide and 2nd among the Southeast Asian countries in production. Based on the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics in 2011, the country produced 29,272 mt of blue swimming crab valued at P1.85 billion. It is also considered as a major export commodity of the country and supplies 9.53% of United States of America’s demand for crab meat.
In the past years, however, the production of blue swimming crabs has been steadily declining due to overexploitation and habitat losses. There is limited crab farming and culture activity due to lack of appropriate culture technology and seed supply. Hence, developing hatchery and grow-out culture technology of crabs will increase production since these species grow fast and has a high fertility rate, making this species ideal for aquaculture. This will also provide additional source of livelihood to the coastal communities.
To implement the program, DOST-PCAARRD has partnered with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) in Iloilo and Tacloban College and the Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO).
With projects ongoing in Tigbauan, Iloilo, Aklan, Guian, and Lawaan in Eastern Samar and in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, the National R&D Program on Blue Swimming Crabs focuses on broodstock management, improved hatchery and grow-out culture operations, and development of a nursery technology.
Current initiatives of the program include the verification of science-based hatchery technology which will be disseminated to state colleges and universities and industry stakeholders at the end of the duration. This will include information, education, and communication materials to increase public awareness on the conservation and management of blue swimming crabs which will also be distributed among beneficiaries of the program including small-scale crab farmers, hatchery operators, and crabmeat processors, traders, and exporters.