Improving size and selectivity of blue swimming crab ( Portunus pelagicus) by using collapsible trap with escape vents in Pamekasan, Madura Island

Abstract

Blue Swimming Crab (Portunus pelagicus) is high export value product from Indonesia that usually exported as pasteurized crabmeat in cans, and has high consumer demand. Blue swimming crab production still depends on wild catch, so that it will threaten the existence of them in the sea. The use of traps will cause almost all sizes of blue swimming crabs to be caught (accidentally) including those that are still small (not suitable for catching). This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the escape vent in collapsible traps to reduce small catches of blue swimming crabs in the Pamekasan area. This research was carried out from August 2021-January 2022 in the southern waters of Pamekasan. The method used is descriptive analysis and the effectiveness analysis of collapsible traps with a size (length x width) of escape vents is 4,5 x 3,5 cm. The study carried out 106 females and 85 males with a total weight of 22,908 kg and the carapace width ranged from 9,7 to 15,8 cm. The effectiveness of escape vents is 98,65%, which is the higher value (closer to 100%) the more benefits it will give to sustainability of blue swimming crabs in the Pamekasan area.