As the NSW fishing industry moves forward into the future with quota managed fisheries, there is a need for industry to develop procedures and process on catching, holding and transporting Blue swimmer crab that would value add to the wild harvest sector’s product – particularly for the live sales market.
The current market is predominantly made of sales of cooked and raw blue swimmer crabs. An approx. price range of blue swimmer crab for 2015 / 2016 was $8.50 $9.00 per kilo. The live trade in blue swimmer crab in 2016 / 2017 is approx. $20.00 per kilo. A move to selling into the live market would provide a better return for effort and would help in maximizing return on investment in the blue swimmer crab quota fishery.
The “Live Blue Swimmer Crab” trade is in its infancy and it is timely to invest in technologies that will assist in lowering the mortality rates of these animals. Any investment now will accelerate the development of this fishery and ensure the best chance for the restructure of the NSW fishery to achieve its goals.ie viability and efficient use of a quota species.
The industry needs to have an easy to read handling guideline developed and training workshops to improve their access to the market and reduce mortality rates.
Final report
This report presents pivotal findings from an in-depth investigation into optimising live handling practices for the commercial Blue Swimmer Crab (Portunus armatus) industry in New South Wales (NSW), with the overarching goal of unlocking high-value live trade opportunities. Initiated in 2019, the research was conducted by an experienced team of scientists at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in Coopers Plains, Brisbane. The primary objective was to develop effective handling protocols to improve the survival rates of Blue Swimmer Crabs from capture to market, thereby increasing the volume and quality of crabs available for sale. The study combined extensive literature review, laboratory trials and stakeholder engagement to provide a practical framework for fishers wishing to pursue the live Blue Swimmer Crab market, focusing on methods to reduce stress, minimise mortalities and maximise marketable yields.
