Mud Crab (Scylla serrata) Marketing and Transportation from the South-Western Region of Bangladesh

Abstract

Various aspects of mud crab (Scylla serrata) marketing and transportation in the South-Western region of Bangladesh were evaluated through a regular field survey in upazilas of Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat districts at monthly intervals for one year in 2001. A total of 6947.627 MT mud crab was produced from Khulna-Satkhira-Bagerhat districts of the South-Western region of Bangladesh in 2001. The maximum (2655.917 MT) mud crab was produced in Bagerhat district and the minimum (1779.150 MT) in Satkhira district. Among 15 upazilas, the maximum (2311.110 MT) and minimum (5.650 MT) production were recorded from Rampal and Morelgonj upazila of Bagerhat district, respectively. The production of mud crab was found to be maximum (3567.860 MT) in the monsoon and the lowest production (1306.957 MT) was found in the winter season. The total number of mud crab depots and manpower involved in crab business were estimated to be 292 and 702, respectively, in the region. The maximum and minimum numbers of crab depots were recorded in Khulna (122) and Satkhira (76), respectively. While the maximum (305) and the minimum (193) number of manpower involved in crab business at local mud crab depots were recorded in Khulna and Bagerhat districts, respectively. Most of the crab depots were located on the bank of rivers and connected with the highways. Three types of physical condition of the crab depots were recorded: Katcha (137 nos.), Semi-pacca (120) and Pacca (35) in the SW region. The prices of mud crabs were found to vary by grade (size, sex and physical condition) and season, as well as by the demand in export market. However, the average higher prices were accounted for F1 (female) and XL (male) grade mud crabs throughout the year. The mud crab marketing was found to be fully export-oriented and the major export markets of mud crab in the last decade were Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and USA. The highest amount (5792 thousand US$) of mud crab was exported in the 1995–96 fiscal year. The Sundarbans mangroves, tidal rivers and estuaries, canals, shrimp farms and fattening ponds are the sources of the mud crabs from where marketable-size male and female crabs are harvested. Although mud crab catching occurs throughout the year, the peak-harvesting season was June to August from shrimp ghers and November to January from the mangrove areas and tidal rivers. Although a rudimentary domestic market of mud crab exists in the region based on rejected crabs at depots, small non-mechanized country boats, pick-up vans and mini trucks were found to be the means of mud crab transportation from harvesting points to exporting points. The use of buses as transportation by bus was stopped from the early months of 2001. During transportation from the harvesting point to the exporter point, about 5–25% of harvested crabs were found to die. The mortality rate during transportation varied with season. The maximum mortality occurred during the summer season (9.9%) and the minimum during the winter season (6.8%). Another 5–10% of harvested crabs were rejected at the depot during handling due to soft shells, broken legs, and lean/poor-fat condition. The overall cost-benefit ratio in the mud crab business at the depot level was found to be 1:2.06, 1:3.19 and 1:7.91 in Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat districts, respectively. However, the ratio varied from 1:2.06 to 1:7.91. The marketing channel for mud crab was generally found to be similar in all upazilas of Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat districts of the South-Western region. The catchers harvested crabs from various wild sources and sold them to small depots, brokers, or directly to suppliers. The marketable crabs collected by small depot owners were sold to suppliers. The exporters purchased mud crabs directly from suppliers located at the upazila level. A large portion of the profit went to middlemen or brokers. Brokers acted as intermediaries between the catchers and suppliers. Sometimes, exporters purchased crabs in cash from local depots through agents. Rejected crabs (under-grade crabs and those with broken claws or legs) were transferred to local markets for domestic consumption at low prices. Lean or poor-health crabs were sold to local fatteners for fattening. The crab business still remained a hidden venture in Bangladesh. Therefore, there was no proper authority to look after its development. There were no proper rules and regulations, and even awareness among users regarding its management was inadequate. It was observed that there were no government policies or guidelines to enhance the potential of this valuable aquatic resource of Bangladesh in a sustainable manner. To protect these precious resources, the Government should concentrate on research and baseline studies and also establish advanced crab culture techniques.