Crianza De Cangrejo Azul

FAO FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE TECHNICAL PAPER

ISSN 2070-7010

567

Mud crab aquaculture
A practical manual

Cover photographs: Clockwise from top left: Scylla olivacea – dorsal view, courtesy of Queensland Museum; crablets of Scylla serrata, courtesy of Colin Shelley; larval rearing tanks covered with plastic to control aerosol contamination and assist in temperature control, courtesyof David Mann; earthen mud crab pond with netting around the pond, People’s Republic of China, courtesy of Chaoshu Zeng; mud crabs packed with head and claws tilted toward the top of the box, courtesy of Colin Shelley.

Mud crab aquaculture
A practical manual

FAO FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE TECHNICAL PAPER

567

Colin Shelley FAO Consultant Australia and Alessandro Lovatelli AquacultureOfficer Aquaculture Service FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department Rome, Italy

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome, 2011

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal ordevelopment status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The viewsexpressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of FAO.

ISBN 978-92-5-106990-5 All rights reserved. FAO encourages reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Non-commercial uses will be authorized free of charge, upon request. Reproduction for resale or other commercial purposes, including educational purposes,may incur fees. Applications for permission to reproduce or disseminate FAO copyright materials, and all queries concerning rights and licences, should be addressed by e-mail to copyright@fao.org or to the Chief, Publishing Policy and Support Branch, Office of Knowledge Exchange, Research and Extension, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy.

© FAO 2011

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Preparation ofthis document
While mud crab farming based on collection of crablets or crabs from the wild for fattening or grow-out has probably taken place for hundreds of years, hatchery production of mud crabs is a relatively recent innovation, with most research and development taking place over the last few decades. This manual attempts to showcase the current wisdom on mud crab farming from key nations inthe Asia-Pacific region where research and development, significant industry development and extension of technology have occurred in recent years. The development of this manual reflects contributions from all major organizations and research teams involved in mud crab culture development. Attendance at numerous workshops and conferences on crab fisheries and aquaculture over the past couple ofdecades has provided inspiration and insight into the need for a manual such as this, one that brings together the whole process of mud crab farming from broodstock to high-quality product leaving the farm. This manual has benefited from so many farmers, scientists, fisheries professionals, business owners, information specialists and technicians who have been kind enough to share their knowledgeand skills, that to name a few might devalue the contribution of others – so to you all, thank you. The support, patience and enthusiasm of Alessandro Lovatelli, FAO Aquaculture Officer, was critical to the completion of this publication.

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Abstract
There are four species of mud crab, Scylla serrata, S. tranquebarica, S. paramamosain and S. olivacea that are the focus of both commercial...