STATUS OF MUD CRAB POPULATION AND FARMING PRACTICES IN COASTAL DISTRICTS OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

The declining abundance of mangrove crabs Scylla species in the coastal areas of Bangladesh have been prompting concern regarding long-term determination of the important cultural and economic resources. In 2015-16, total catch of the mud carb in ten districts was recorded at 0.01316 million mt. While, during 2016-17, the catch was increased to 0.014421million mt. But in between 2016-17 and 2020-21, total catch of these ten districts was decreased from 0.014421 to 0.012337 million mt. The decreasing trend or regression was polynomial and the equation showed y = 9E-05x2-0.0009x + 0.0145; where,  R2 is 0.3443. The percentage of total catch of the ten districts was increased at -9.57% and decreased production percentage at 10.41, 3.42, 4.56 and 6.32% within the year 2014-15 to 2020-21. The regression type was polynomial and the equation was y = -2.0227x2 + 14.73x – 18.913; where, R2 was 0.5496. There is a significant trend in the case of male, female and immature mud crabs of coastal areas. In the case of female mud crabs, the total catch percentage was from 24.90 to 34.30 between 2015 and 2021. In case of male mud crabs total catch percentage was increased from 35.50 to 38.30 and in case of immature mud crab, total catch percentage was increased 30.20 to 38.70 in between 2015 and 2021. Harvesting pressure of the crab population was detected in the crab sector of Bangladesh. So, eco-friendly catch of mud crab is to be practiced until established mud crab hatchery to minimize the requirement of seed production of crab in aquaculture of crab.