Blue swimmer crab
Prelims:
Environment and
Ecology, Agriculture, Science & Technology
Mains:
GS Paper III –
Agriculture, Science & Technology, Economy, Environment
Current relevance:
The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater
Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA), Chennai, has successfully demonstrated Blue Swimmer Crab (BSC) farming technology for
the first time.
Highlights:
About Blue Swimmer Crab:
(i)
Scientific name: Portunus
reticulatus
(ii)
Native to the Indo-Pacific
region.
(iii)
It is Omnivorous, feed on small fish,
molluscs, crustaceans, worms, organic detritus.
(iv)
Bluish-green body with white spots.
(v)
Last pair of legs are flattened into paddle-like
structures.
(vi)
A commercially valuable brackishwater marine crab, found in coastal lagoons, Estuaries, Mangrove creeks,
Seagrass beds, Sandy and muddy coastal bottoms.
Standardized
End-to-End Farming Technology:
1.
ICAR-CIBA has successfully
developed and standardized a complete technology package for Blue Swimmer Crab aquaculture. It
includes:
(i) Hatchery seed production
(ii) Specialized formulated
pelleted feed (BSCrabPlus)
(iii) Nursery rearing
techniques
(iv) Grow-out culture
practices
(v) Scientific harvesting
methods
Advantages:
1.
Provides an additional
source of income for farmers.
2. Formulated feed
enhances growth and productivity.
3. High-value seafood with strong domestic and export demand.
4. Reduces reliance
on shrimp monoculture, lowering
production risks.
Source: PIB- https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2276781®=48&lang=2