Activity Proposal under the Program:

National Crab Production and Livelihood Program for Municipal Fisherfolk

I. Title: Pilot Demonstration on Soft-shelled Crab Production and Crab Fattening

II. Specific Location: Jiabong, Samar

III. Proponent: BFAR 8 (Fisheries Production Division)

IV. Budgetary Requirement: Php 250,00.00

V. Cooperating Station: BFAR Jiabong Station

VI. Implementing Schedule: October 26 December 14, 2015

VII. Rationale:

Mangrove crabs natural habitats are the coastal waters. They usually spawn in the
open sea and young crabs are carried by incoming high tides into the estuaries, tidal flats, and
mangrove swamps where they become sexually mature. There are four species of mangrove
crabs in the Philippines of the genus Scylla namely, S. serrata (king crab), S. olivacea
(pulahan), S. tranquebarica (kalawangin), and S. paramamosain (banhawin).
Mangrove crab is a highly priced seafood delicacy in the Philippines. They are served
in banquet tables during special occasions. That is why, they become an important aquaculture
species in the brackishwater ponds.
The culture techniques of these species is well-developed in the country. There is an
emerging interest in mangrove crab industry on soft-shelled crab production, therefore there
is a need to demonstrate this technology. Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India have
become popular with this technique. Fattening of thin crabs is also an innovation in the culture
of crab to improve its marketability.
Both the soft-shelled crab production and crab fattening require simple production
techniques and structures, making them easily adoptable to municipal fisherfolk. Duration of
culture is only a short period of time, thereby assuring fast recovery of investment.
VIII. Objective:
1.To establish a pilot demonstration on soft-shelled crab production and crab fattening

Specific Objectives
to select a site where pilot demonstration to be established
to fabricate pontoons for the soft-shelled production and crab fattening
to gather data on the production of soft-shell and crab fattening

IX. Methodology

Site selection and Pond Preparation

The program leader will visit Jiabong, Samar which is a potential site for the
establishment of pilot demonstration. Physico-chemical parameters will also be
determined: salinity, temperature, and depth. If the pond needs modifications, repair
should follow immediately. The chosen pond should be brackish and should maintain
at least 1 meter deep at all times. This is to ensure that water temperature will not
fluctuate rapidly. The pond should also have a good water drainage.

Soft-shelled Crab Production

Fabrication of production structure

Perforated plastic tray with cover will be used to contain one (1) crab for molting.
Crab trays will be fitted and arranged in floating bamboo frames or pontoons. One
pontoon measuring 6 meters length x 1.5 meter width can hold 100 trays. One module
will consist of five pontoons with 500 crab trays. The pontoons will be installed in a
fishpond compartment that can maintain at least one meter depth. Catwalk should be
installed for ease of monitoring and shade for crab protection. A working shade may
be constructed for project management.
Crab stocking
Only healthy crab with complete set of appendages will be selected for stocking.
Crab weighing 60-100g [2.5 3 carapace width (CW)] will be selected for stocking,
1 crab per tray. Tip of the movable crab pincers must be cut to prevent crabs from
damaging the plastic tray.

Feeding and pond water management

Crabs will be fed 10% body weight with low value fish every day during spring
tides and every other day during neap tides. Feed ratio should be adjusted when needed.
Decaying unconsumed feed should be removed from the crab tray to avoid water
pollution inside.
Pond must be maintained at least 1 m depth to avoid warming and stock mortalities.
Water exchange must be done every spring tide or whenever is possible. A standby
water pump may be necessary to maintain water level.

Monitoring of crab molt

Molting of crabs will be monitored every 4 hours. An indication of molting is when
you see and empty crab shell inside the tray. Production cycle will last for 60 days.
Crabs that have not molted after 60 days may be transferred to another pond or
consumed. Other factors such as mortalities, escapes, and tray damages must also be
observed.

Care and Maintenance

Vacated trays should be cleaned and dried before restocking. After a day, the empty
tray can be restocked with new crab to maximize production. The pontoons must be
cleaned with fouling organisms and algae. Broken or leaking bamboo must be
immediately replaced. After 2 cycles (120 days), the pontoons and the trays must be
clean-dried and the pond must be drained, sun-dried, and prepared for the next crop.
Monitoring of Physico-chemical parameters (PCP)
To relate the effects of climate conditions to molting, PCP such as water
temperature, salinity, water depth, water transparency, and weather conditions will be
monitored twice daily. All data gathered and observed must be recorded in a log book.
Other purchases inputs such as crab seeds, feeds, plastic bags, etc. as well as harvest
and sales must also be recorded.

Harvesting and Post-harvest handling

The newly molted crab will be taken out of the tray, thoroughly washed and/or
aerated for 10 minutes in a basin with clean freshwater. The soft-shelled crab will be
packed individually in plastic bag and then arranged in a container for immediate
freezing. The crabs will be kept frozen until volume has been collected for sale. It is
recommenced that soft-shelled crab be vacuum-packed for quality marketing.

Crab Fattening

Fabrication of production structure

Perforated plastic pail (16 L cap) with cover will be used to contain one crab
fattening. Crab pails will be fitted and arranged in a floating bamboo frames or pontoon.
One pontoon measuring 2 m length x 2.5 m width can hold 20 pails. The pontoons will
be installed in a fishpond compartment that can maintain at least 1 meter depth

Crab stocking
Thin crab with complete set of appendages will be selected for stocking. Crabs with
carapace width (CW) of 4 and above but weighing below 200 grams are eligible for
crab fattening, stocking will be 1 crab per pail.

Feeding, monitoring, and pond water management

Fattened crabs will be fed daily at least 10% body weight. Feed ratio shall be
adjusted based on actual crab consumption. Feed ingredients such as trash fish, fish
entrails/gills, coconut meat, shellfish, etc. may be given. Stocked pails will be inspected
every morning to see if there is any mortality or left-over feed. Left-over feed must be
removed from the pail every morning to prevent deterioration of water quality inside
the pail. Crabs will be fattened for at least 2 weeks. Level of pond water must be
maintained at 1 1.5 m deep to avoid warming and stock mortalities. Water exchange
must be done every spring neap tides.

Care and Maintenance

Vacated pale should be cleaned and dried immediately. After a day or two, the
empty pail will be stocked with a new crab for molting to maximize production. The
pontoons must be cleaned of fouling organisms and algae. Broken or leaking bamboo
must be immediately replaced. After 4 months (120 days), the pond must be drained,
sun-dried, and prepared for the next crop.

PCP monitoring and record keeping

PCP such as water temperature, salinity, water depth, transparency and water
condition will be taken twice daily. All data gathered and observations must be
recorded in a log book. There must be a separate recordings for inputs purchased and
used, crab stock, harvest, feed, and sales.

Harvesting and post-harvest handling

Fattened crabs will be taken out of the pail, washed with clean pond water and tied
with buri string or plastic straw, taking care not to lose any appendage, especially the
claw. Each crab will be measured and weighed individually to check on fatness and
quality. Unfattened crabs should be returned back to the pail for further fattening. Good
quality crabs will be packed in carton or pandan bag and sold live to interested clients.
 X. Timeline
2015
Activities October November December
26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Preparation of Activity Proposal
Procurement of Inputs
bamboo
trays containers
ropes
amazon net
JO laborers
crablets
trashfish
freezer, weighing
scale,vacuum sealer
Fabrication and installation of
Production structure
Stocking and Stock Management
(Data Gathering)
Harvesting
Product Development/Marketing
Market Survey and
Identification/Selection of
Fisherfolk Beneficiaries
XI. Budgetary Requirement

A. Soft-shelled Crab Production

Total Cost
Quantity Supplies/Materials Unit Cost
MOOE CO Total
75 pcs Whole Length Kawayan 150.00 11,250.00 - 11,250.00
40 pcs Kawayang Puno 75.00 3,000.00 - 3,000.00
5 rolls PE rope #8 250.00 1,250.00 - 1,250.00
5 kg. monoline #120 270.00 1,350.00 - 1,350.00
500 pcs crab trays 20.00 10,000.00 - 10,000.00
50 m amazon net 40.00 2,000.00 - 2,000.00
10 spool PE twine 1 mm 40.00 400.00 - 400.00
Misc. and Cont. 17,400.00 - 17,400.00
500 pcs crablets 30.00 15,000.00 - 15,000.00
40 kgs trash fish 30.00 1,200.00 - 1,200.00
60 days (2) Job Order 250.00 30,000.00 30,000.00
1 unit chest freezer 20 cu. Ft. 33,000.00 - 33,000.00 33,000.00
electric digital scale 5kg. Cap. 2g
1 unit graduation 15,000.00 - 15,000.00 15,000.00
1 unit mechanical scale 10kg cap., hanging 2,000.00 - 2,000.00 2,000.00
1 unit table top vaccuum sealer 50,000.00 - 50,000.00 50,000.00
Sub-total 92,850.00 100,000.00 192,850.00

B. Crab Fattening
Total Cost
Quantity Supplies/Materials Unit Cost
MOOE CO Total
75 pcs Whole Length Kawayan 150.00 11,250.00 - 11,250.00
30 pcs Kawayang Puno 75.00 2,250.00 - 2,250.00
10 rolls PE rope #8 250.00 2,500.00 - 2,500.00
5 kg. monoline #120 270.00 1,350.00 - 1,350.00
100 pcs crab containers 20.00 2,000.00 - 2,000.00
10 spool PE twine 1 mm 40.00 400.00 - 400.00
50 pcs coconut leaves 5.00 250.00 250.00
Misc. and Cont. 17,400.00 - 17,400.00
100 pcs crablets 40.00 4,000.00 - 4,000.00
25 kgs trash fish 30.00 750.00 - 750.00
60 days (1) Job Order 250.00 15,000.00 15,000.00
Sub-total 57,150.00 - 57,150.00
TOTAL (A&B) 150,000.00 100,000.00 250,000.00
Figure 1. Module for Soft-shelled Crab Production.

Figure 2. Module for Crab Fattening

Figure 3. Proposed site in BFAR Jiabong Station