THE FISHERY FOR THE CRAB SCYLLA SERRATA (FORSKAL) AT TUTICORIN DURING 1974-75

Abstract

Scylla serrata occurs in fairly good numbers at Tuticorin, throughout the
year. In the nortbsrn part, it is usually caught from the shallow coastal waters
by shore-seines and cast-nets, while in the backwaters and canals of the southern
region by a simple trapping device. Apart from these, certain drag-nets, stakenets,
baited hooks and hand-picking are also resorted to for the capture of this crab.
The estimated yield of S. serrata during 1974-75 was 9,460.6 kg, of wthich 53.7%
were 'by nets and 46.3% by traps. The combined annual size-frequency distribution
of the orate has indicated the presence of three distinct age-groups, with modes at
11-5, 155 and 185/195 mm. Gross examination of gowadial conditions has shown
three stages of maturity for both sexes, representing immature, maturing and
mature conditions. Berried females Showed two stages in the development of eggs.
It appears that for improving the quality and quantity of the catches, the smallest
size groups with dominant mode at 115 mm carapace width could be spared from
the efforts of the fishery