MONDAY, 29 AUGUST – Borneo Marine Research Institute (IPMB) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) once again made history in the field of research when scientists successfully produced seedlings of the mangrove crab (Scylla Tranquebarica) species.

IPMB Director, Professor Dr. Rossita Shapawi said, this successful production of crab seed was a very significant achievement in the aquaculture industry and fisheries resources as this effort allowed for the production of crab seedlings for commercial farming.

“Unlike most of the fish supply that is obtained from aquaculture, crab supplies depend on the wild habitat caught from natural environment.

“Thus, this finding is significant in the development of the aquaculture industry in Sabah.  In contrast to Peninsular Malaysia. S. tranquebarica is a dominant species in the state and will always be found sold in markets and seafood restaurant,” she said.

She was speaking at a press conference on the announcement of this success at the Shrimp Hatchery, IPMB UMS, recently.

She added that efforts in breeding of mangrove crabs in a cages started since 2012 and at the initial stages, the team faced some problems which included infections resulting in mass mortality among the large number of brood stock.

“With the research conducted by the research team at IPMB, we have identified the source of infection of the disease and established preventive measures and improved the brood stock and larval management.

“Since then, we have successfully improved the maturity of the brood stock in captivity through crab holding cage through various efforts such as the enhancement of brood stock nutrition, simulation of tidal activity and habitat creation that mimic their natural habitat in the mangrove areas.

She added that IPMB continued to have close collaboration with Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology on mangrove crab larval production to achieve better results and contribute to the local aquaculture industry and fishery resources. – (fl)