Utilisation of Estuarine Crab Resources for Aquaculture in Krishna District

The mud crab Scylla serrata is a species of economic importance, especially in the export market. Many people in the coastal areas of Krishna district (Gilakaladindi, Nagayalanka, Zinkapalem, and Nachugunta) in Andhra Pradesh, India depend on the capture fishery of these crabs, basing on the demand; these species are also used for aquaculture in these areas. The culture ponds are distributed throughout almost all Krishna district, covering an area of over 10000 acres nearby Machilipatnam; with the largest area being in Gilakaladindi (4000acres), followed by Nagayalanka (1000), Zinkapalem (800) and Nachugunta (500). Juveniles or crablets are actively harvested throughout Krishna district for use as seed for crab farms. Zinkapalem has the highest average daily catch of 5.5 kg of juvenile crabs, followed by Gilakaladindi (3kg), Nagayalanka (1.5kg) and Nachugunta (1.25). The daily production of crabs from these four areas is 2-4 tons from Gilakaladindi, 1-3 tons from Nagayalanka, 0.5-1 ton each from Zinkapalem and Nachugunta.