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Harvesting Techniques and Transportation of Mud Crab from the South-west Region of Bangladesh

D. Kamal
Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

M.S. Tapadar
Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

M. Khanom
Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

M.M. Khatun*
Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Mud crab business bears huge potential for further development as it is still remained as a hidden venture in Bangladesh. The crab resources in Bangladesh are currently overexploited as well as increased the mortality due to poor handling and transportation. Harvesting and transportation systems of mud crab (Scylla olivacea) in three districts e.g. Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat of South-Western (SW) region of Bangladesh were investigated. Crabs were harvested by traditional crafts, namely wooden boat with or without engine, and gears including rope line, hook line, iron hook, bamboo trap, behundi net, scoop net and cast net. Locally available transports were used in transporting mud crabs from harvesting to export point. The Sundarbans mangrove forest and tidal rivers were the main sources of mud crabs. It took 6-9 days at each fishing trip in the Sundarbans for harvesting crabs and 6 to12 hrs to transport mud crab from district level to Dhaka. Crab mortality from catcher to depot, during packaging, and transportation to Dhaka were found as 36.24%, 46.71% and 17.04%, respectively. The maximum and minimum mortality was observed during summer and winter, respectively. The main causes of higher mortality rate could be due to high temperature and prolonged period during transportation. It is recommended to develop a sustainable policy and management strategy in order to reduce mud crab exploitation in nature. In addition, government and non-government initiatives should be taken for efficient transportation and packaging, infrastructure development and management approach to reduce mortality as well as maintaining quality of mud crabs in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Mud crab, Craft and gear, Transportation, Mortality.

Location: 15 sub-districts (Upazilla) namely Paikgacha, Koyra, Dumuria, Batiaghata and Dacope of Khulna district, Ashashuni, Shamnagar, Kaligong, Debhata and Tala of Satkhira district, and Bagerhat Sadar, Rampal, Mongla, Morelganj and Sharankhola of Bagerhat district

Start Date: 00-01-2001

End Date: 00-12-2001

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Commodity: Crab

Objectives:

Virtually no research study is available particularly on the business in terms of harvesting and transportation of mud crab .in Bangladesh. However, Ahmed (1992) and Khan and Alam (1992) briefly reported the fishery, production and bioeconomics of mud crab resources in Bangladesh. Besides, Saha et al. (2000) and Kamal (2002) reported brood stock development and fattening of the species. However, these studies ignored the harvesting and transportation systems of mud crab. Therefore, the present study was conducted in order to asses the harvesting and transportation systems of mud crab in the south-west region of Bangladesh. Mortality upon these systems was also observed.

Methodology:

Study area Before starting regular field survey, an investigation was conducted in all the 25 sub-district (upazilla) of the SW region to identify mud crab business centers. Then, a questionnaire survey was conducted at monthly interval between January and December 2001 from 15 sub-districts (upazilla) namely Paikgacha, Koyra, Dumuria, Batiaghata and Dacope of Khulna district, Ashashuni, Shamnagar, Kaligong, Debhata and Tala of Satkhira district, and Bagerhat Sadar, Rampal, Mongla, Morelganj and Sharankhola of Bagerhat district, where people were engaged in mud crab business.

Data collection All required information were collected through a prepared questionnaire. The questionnaire was finalized based on literature review, personal knowledge and farmers. The questionnaire includes types, description and operation of major crafs and gears used in mud crab harvesting, means of transportation, time required in transportation, mortality estimation in different season and stage of transportation, problems in harvesting and transportation of mud crab and so on. Interview was taken in 3 depots and exporting agent randomly selected from each upazilla among different stakeholders involved in mud crab marketing and transportation (catchers, middleman, depot owners and exporters) covering the key issues like harvesting techniques and transportation systems for live mud crab export, mortality, and problems associated with mud crab handling and transportation in the south-west region of Bangladesh.

Statistical analysis One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine the difference of mortality based on location and season prior to harvesting, packaging and transportation. A Tukey test was performed if significant differences were found by ANOVA.

Source of Information: South Asian. Agric, 2008,3 (1 &2): 19-26 ISSN 1991-0037

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

99% of the export from Bangladesh is live mud crab. Despite in great demand of mud crabs in foreign markets, they must arrive at their destination alive and in good condition. Relative humidity of 95% at 16-20°C was found to be optimal transport conditions (Gillespie and Burke, 1992). One of the ways to prolong the shelf life of the mud crab is to pack them in ventilated, insulated polystyrene boxes with ice placed at the bottom of the box and use chicken-wire mesh to separate the crab from the ice (Kathirvel and Srinivasagam, 1992). Transport mortality in India is 5-40% depending on the mode of transport (Gillespie and Burke, 1992). They further stated that mortality can be reduced by better handling and packing, particularly with the use of ice in insulated and ventilated plastic foam containers. Crabs stored below 20°C survive for about ten days, whereas crabs only survive 6-7 days at higher temperatures. In India, harvesting and post harvesting operations are based on procedures that maintain the value of live exportable commodities and fetch premium prices. Selective harvesting is done depending upon the demands of buyers.

Knowledge Management: Journal