AN ASSESSMENT OF THE MUD CRAB AQUACULTURE IN COASTAL BANGLADESH: UNDERSTANDING THE CURRENT TECHNOLOGIES AND DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES

Crab aquaculture is recognized as a promising commercial venture in coastal Bangladesh, with outstanding potential for growth. This investigation provided an assessment of existing techniques of crab culture from the perspective of sustainable development. A survey was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire with 150 crab farmers in the Southwest coastal region of Bangladesh during July to October, 2018. This study tracked crab fatteners identifying their average age of 34.56±8.29 years with average culture experience of 7.64±5 years. Among respondents, 76% belonged to the Hindu religion and 24% Muslim. An average fattening pond size was 0.27±0.21 ha and average single crop period ranged from 32±12 to 46±15 days. Average stocking density was 1.0±0.5 (ind.m^-2) and sex-ratio was followed 1:3.35 crabs, whilst the average stocking size of crabs was 86±21 g to 179±62 g for both sex. Currently the average highest and lowest productions were calculated as 1383±67 and 815±22.6 kg/ha/crop respectively on the basis of the survival rate ranges from 64±9.4% to 68±11% in all forms of fattening practices. Average total cost was recorded 316,654.00±37,042.00¹ BDT/ha/crop; an average gross return of 514,748.00±32,056.00 BDT/ha/crop provided the average net profit of 198,094.00±8,387.00 BDT/ha/crop.

In fattening, stocking crabs involved a significantly highest (71%) mean percentage of total farming cost followed by feed cost (12%), fencing cost (8%), land lease value (5%) and labour cost (4%). A majority of stocked crabs were fed with tilapia (95%) followed by snails, low-value trash fish. Only single feeding regime was followed and it supplied 58% at noon, 26% in the afternoon and 16% in the evening. Harvesting methods consisted greatly of 46.34% hand angling with scoop net, and then different traps occupied 28.70%, direct hand picking (10.6%), line angling (12.68%), water drained out (1.68%) . A mean of 92.4% of harvested crabs were sold at depots and 7.6% to Farias (middlemen). Among all respondents, 45% fatteners received training on mud crab culture and no practice of providing shelters into ponds was noticed by this study.

Many of the findings from this investigation reflected positively on the prospects of further expansion of crab aquaculture and also identified potential areas that can be addressed to develop a sustainable crab industry in Bangladesh. Results of this study, however, can be considered as indicative of proper steps that should be initiated by the government, private sectors, academicians, research institutions, NGOs, etc. to support the growth of crab aquaculture as viable and sustainable economic option for building resilience and well-being of disadvantaged people in the climate-vulnerable coastal regions of Bangladesh. (¹USD=BDT 81.00)