The crab fishery resources of India

Abstract

Crabs support a sustenance fishery of appreciable importance, although, its present status is not comparable
\nwith that of those major crustacean fisheries such as prawns and lobsters. In addition to the marine
\nfishery, large number of crabs are landed from the estuaries and brackish water lakes adjoining the coastal
\nareas. To meet the increasing demand for frozen crab meat and to develop an organised crab fishing industry,
\nan evaluation of the existing resources is quite essential.
\nThe fishery at present is supported mostly by the edible crabs belonging to the family Portunidae and
\navailable information on the various aspects of the fishery show that the fishing is restricted to the inshore
\nareas mostly by operations of small indigenous crafts and gears. In most of the places crabs form an ancillary
\ncatch along with other crustaceans and fishes, intensive fishing for crabs alone existing only in selected areas.
\nThe annual catch which is less than 4,000 tonnes is subject to marked fluctuations. However, the distribution
\nof the species and the trend in production indicate scope for further expansion.
\nAn attempt is made here to study the abundance and production of crabs from three general areas, viz.,
\nwest coast of India, Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay and the northern part of the east coast from Point Calimere
\nto Sunderbans with a view to understand the crab resources of the country. The estimation of the
\npotential resources of the offshore waters as indicated by the trawler catches is also mide. The need for biological
\ninvestigattions on factors governing yield and crab population is stressed.