Iloilo moves to boost blue swimming crab population

ILOILO – In a bid to revive the blue swimming crab population in the province and sustain local livelihoods, the Provincial Agriculture Office recently released crablets in Sitio Banban, Barangay Tambaliza, Concepcion town.

Led by the Iloilo Provincial Agriculture Fisheries Division, the initiative saw the release of 1,036 crablets into the seagrass beds.

The crablets were hatched and produced at the Blue Swimming Crab Hatchery of the Provincial Agriculture Office established within the Northern Iloilo State University – Concepcion Campus. The hatchery was inaugurated on August 31, 2023.

Blue swimming crabs, known for their distinctive blue claws and sweet, tender meat, are a significant part of both the local and national economy. In Iloilo, they are a key resource for coastal communities, providing income and employment opportunities.

The Philippines is one of the top exporters of blue swimming crabs, with the seafood playing a crucial role in the country’s fisheries sector.

The Provincial Agriculture Office initiative is part of a broader project to rejuvenate the blue swimming crab population, aiming to restore ecological balance and support communities reliant on this marine resource.

The provincial government allocated P5 million to establish the crab hatchery. This project, initiated by former governor Arthur Defensor Sr., seeks to enhance stock levels.

The hatchery operates in coordination with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources./PN