High mortalities experienced by crab farmers here have been linked to the high turbidity of Panay River and poor quality of trash fish which is fed to the crabs. An investigation was launched last March by the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in Tigbauan, Iloilo after a farmer in the town reported finding dead crabs since last year with a mortality rate reaching as much as 40 percent. The farmer said similar observations were noted in nearby farms and even in other municipalities. Mortalities were observed regardless of life stage with dead crabs being described as lightweight and with thin muscles.

Dianala, R. D. (2020, May 8). Mysterious deaths in farmed crab linked to bad feed, water quality. Panay News, pp. 9, 11.