The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) said mud crab culture could reduce fishing pressure on the seas and other natural marine habitats. Dr. Felix Ayson, chief of SEAFDEC’s Aquaculture Division, said the population of mud crab in its natural environment is depleting as fishermen take advantage of the very high demand for mud crab in the global market. “If we will let our natural environment recover, rest, breath; naturally, natural populations of mud crab can increase in the natural environment,” Ayson said. Ayson said a project of SEAFDEC and the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council of Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARD) allows sourcing of mud crab seeds from hatcheries. Sourcing of crablets from hatcheries makes chances of increasing production very high, he said.

De Los Santos. M. A. (2015, November 17). Mud crab culture could save marine resources – SEAFDEC. The Daily Guardian, pp. 2, 11.