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Status, technological innovations, and industry development needs of mud crab (Scylla spp.) aquaculture

FAO Expert Workshop, 27–30 November 2023, Singapore

Year of publication 2025

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 388 p.

Author Lovatelli, A. (ed.); Shelley, C. (ed.); Tobias-Quinitio, E. (ed.); Waiho, K. (ed.); Chan, D. (ed.);

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (series)

ISBN 978-92-5-139558-5

Series title FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Proceedings

Series number No. 73

To cite or share https://doi.org/10.4060/cd3976en

Synopsis (short abstract) The FAO Expert Workshop on Mud Crab Aquaculture, held in Singapore, brought together leading experts to address critical challenges and emerging opportunities in the sustainable farming of Scylla spp. mud crabs. Driven by escalating demand for both hard-shell and soft-shell mud crabs, the sector faces constraints such as overfishing, habitat degradation, reliance on wild seedstock, and unsustainable farming practices. The workshop provided a collaborative platform to evaluate the current state of the industry, identify technological innovations, and set a course for advancing sustainability and resilience in mud crab aquaculture. Central to the discussions was the transition from capture-based to hatchery-based production systems to secure consistent and high-quality seedstock. Experts highlighted the importance of domestication and selective breeding to enhance aquaculture yields. The development of formulated feeds, reducing reliance on wild-sourced feed, and the integration of advanced technologies such as probiotics and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) were identified as critical pathways to address water quality, biosecurity, and production efficiency challenges. Innovative farming system approaches were presented, including sustainable polyculture systems and the adoption of cellular farming techniques to mitigate cannibalism and improve survival rates. The potential of the soft-shell crab sector for value addition through enhanced post-harvest practices, packaging, and processing was also discussed, though key bottlenecks such as limited seedstock availability, forced moulting practices, and inconsistent farming standards need to be adequately addressed. Broader ecological concerns, such as the overexploitation of wild populations and the degradation of mangrove habitats were highlighted. Experts advocated strengthened fishery management, habitat restoration, and policy interventions to mitigate these issues. Additionally, the role of advanced technologies such as IoT-enabled systems,digital training tools, and automation was underscored as transformative for achieving scalability and operational efficiency in mud crab farming. Aligned with FAO’s Blue Transformation initiative, the workshop outlined a comprehensive strategy to promote sustainable development in the mud crab aquaculture sector. Key recommendations included establishing broodstock banks, deploying cost-effective disease screening, enhancing international collaboration, and scaling capacity-building programmes to share knowledge and technologies across diverseaquaculture contexts. By fostering innovation, improving productivity, and addressing environmental challenges, the outcomes of the workshop aim to strengthen global food security, enhance aquaculture value chains, and sustain the livelihoods of communities dependent on mud crab production.

Last updated 24/01/2025

Cite this content as:

Lovatelli, A., Shelley, C., Tobias-Quinitio, E., Waiho, K. & Chan, D., eds. 2025. Status, technological innovations, and industry development needs of mud crab (Scylla spp.) aquaculture – FAO Expert Workshop, 27–30 November 2023, Singapore. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Proceedings, No. 73. Rome, FAO.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cd3976en

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