South Kalimantan
Indonesia
Blue Swiming Crab Trap
Location & History
In South Kalimantan, the BSC fishery is part of the broader coastal fishery landscape along the Java Sea and surrounding waters. BSC occurs widely in the coastal ecosystems, including estuaries and nearshore habitats, and supports small‑scale fishers across the region. Research indicates that the BSC stocks here have experienced significant fishing pressure with indications of potentially overfishing, highlighting the importance of sustainable management approaches.
While formal regional governance structures may be less elaborate than in Java, local and national authorities, researchers, and fishing communities are increasingly recognizing the need for management measures such as effort control, size limits, and monitoring to ensure continued fishery viability and coastal livelihoods.
How is the Blue Swimming Crab Caught?
Fishers primarily use traditional crab traps, set in shallow coastal waters with muddy or sandy bottoms. Traps are baited and checked regularly to maintain crab quality and reduce mortality.
Fishing trips are short, and catches are landed daily at small village landing sites before being transported to regional processing facilities.
Unique Features & Fun Fact
South Kalimantan’s coastal waters are strongly influenced by seasonal monsoons, which affect crab availability and fishing patterns. Fishers adapt their effort based on weather cycles, demonstrating strong local ecological knowledge.
Meet The Fishers
Fleet Capacity
Target Species
Blue Swimming Crabs
Blue swimming crab is a brachyuran crab in the Portunidae family. Crabs from this family are usually recognized by their flat, disc-shaped hind legs, which are used as paddles for swimming, and by the nine spikes (aka horns) along their carapace, on either side of their eyes. Males are bright blue in color with white spots and characteristically long chelipeds, the females are a duller green/brown with a more rounded carapace. Spawning occurs year-round, with peak spawning seasons in Indonesia typically between May and October. Female blue crabs mate only during molting, and the male crabs carry and protect them until molting and mating occurs. Blue swimming crab is common throughout the Indo-Pacific in inshore and continental shelf habitats, including sand, mud, algae, and seagrass near reefs and mangrove areas, and is found from the intertidal zone to depths of 70 m. The species matures quickly (about 1 year), has a short lifespan (about 3 years), and is a partial brooder.
Blue Swimming Crabs (Portunus pelagicus) are primarily found in warm tropical and subtropical waters, particularly in shallow coastal areas such as estuaries, lagoons, and sandy bottoms. These crabs are prized for their sweet, delicate flavor and tender white meat, which is a result of their habitat and diet consisting of small invertebrates and detritus. East Java, Indonesia, is one of the key regions for harvesting Blue Swimming Crab, where sustainable fishing practices like traps and gillnets are used to ensure the health of crab populations and marine ecosystems.
Fishing Gear
Fishing Gear
Fishing techniques for Blue Swimming Crab vary but primarily involve the use of traps. Fishers deploy baited traps in shallow coastal waters to target crabs selectively, minimizing bycatch and environmental impact. Traps designed to minimize habitat damage and allow for the release of undersized crabs. These traps are checked frequently to ensure captured crabs remain healthy and to reduce mortality rates. Traps are round or square-shaped (depending on the locality), usually measure 32 × 51 × 21 cm, are made of wire mesh or a galvanized steel frame with two funnel entrances, and are sometimes covered by a polyethylene, green, square- or diamond-shaped net. Typically, there are 150 to 400 baited traps (with fish pieces)—the number limited only by the size of the boat—that are connected to a main line, and these are set by boat on sandy bottoms to depths of 20–50 m. Traps are soaked overnight and the catch is collected on-site.
Fishery Association
What is an industry association?
Industry associations are organizations responsible for promoting and enforcing standards, regulations, and best practices within a specific sector. These associations support businesses by providing resources, educational programs, and advocacy to ensure industry compliance and growth. Additionally, they engage in lobbying efforts to influence policymakers on issues affecting the industry.
Asosiasi Pengelolaan Rajungan Indonesia (APRI)
The Asosiasi Pengelolaan Rajungan Indonesia (APRI) was established to unify and represent the Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) industry in Indonesia. As a key player in promoting sustainability and best practices, APRI ensures that the harvest and processing of BSC align with international standards. Its members include fishers, processors, and exporters, reflecting the entire supply chain.
APRI focuses on creating sustainable fisheries through measures such as promoting the use of traps and gillnets, ensuring traceability, and supporting data-driven fisheries management. The association works closely with government bodies, NGOs, and international organizations to implement conservation strategies that benefit both the marine ecosystem and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
In addition, APRI actively participates in educational programs, training sessions, and resource management initiatives to support its members. Through these efforts, APRI is committed to building a sustainable future for Indonesia’s Blue Swimming Crab fishery while ensuring compliance with international market requirements.
Regional Fisheries Management in South Kalimantan
Blue Swimming Crab Fisheries in South Kalimantan
The BSC fishery along South Kalimantan’s coastal zone operates within estuaries, mangrove areas, and shallow nearshore waters, supporting small-scale fishing communities.
Management is guided by national regulations and coordinated with APRI to implement sustainable fishing practices, including baited traps that minimize bycatch and habitat damage.
Through collaboration with local stakeholders, APRI helps collect data on crab stocks, track fishing effort, and enforce traceability, ensuring stock health and compliance with international market requirements. These efforts strengthen both fishery sustainability and community livelihoods.
