South Kalimantan
Indonesia
Blue Swiming Crab Trap
Location & History
Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) fisheries have long supported coastal communities throughout South Kalimantan, particularly in coastal areas such as Kotabaru, Tanah Laut, and surrounding waters. The fishery provides an important source of income for small-scale fishers and contributes to regional seafood supply chains serving both domestic and export markets.
In collaboration with industry stakeholders and the Indonesian Blue Swimming Crab Association (APRI), efforts have been undertaken to strengthen fishery management through catch monitoring, traceability initiatives, and data collection programs. These activities support responsible harvesting practices and contribute to broader fishery management objectives in Indonesia.
The fishery operates primarily within Indonesia’s Fisheries Management Area 713 (WPP 713), which includes the Makassar Strait and adjacent waters surrounding South Kalimantan. The region plays an important role in Indonesia’s Blue Swimming Crab fishery and supports coastal livelihoods across numerous fishing communities.
How is the Blue Swimming Crab Caught?
Blue Swimming Crab from this fishery is harvested using baited crab traps operated by small-scale fishers in coastal waters of South Kalimantan. Trap fishing is a passive and selective fishing method designed to target crabs while reducing interactions with non-target species.
Fishing activities are generally conducted in shallow coastal waters over sandy and muddy seabed habitats where Blue Swimming Crab are commonly found. Fishers typically operate small vessels and return catches to local landing sites and collection centers for further handling and distribution.
Following landing, crabs are sorted according to applicable regulations and buyer requirements. Data collection and fishery monitoring programs help improve understanding of catch trends and support responsible resource management.
Unique Features & Fun Fact
The Blue Swimming Crab fishery in South Kalimantan plays an important role in supporting coastal communities and generating employment throughout the seafood supply chain. Fishing, collection, processing, and export activities contribute to local economic development and livelihoods.
South Kalimantan’s coastal waters include a mixture of estuarine environments, shallow coastal habitats, and nearshore marine ecosystems that provide suitable habitat for Blue Swimming Crab and many other marine species. These productive environments support fishing activities throughout much of the year.
Many fishing communities in the region participate in monitoring and traceability initiatives designed to improve fishery data collection and strengthen responsible fishing practices. Collaboration between fishers, processors, researchers, and government stakeholders continues to support ongoing fishery improvement efforts.
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.
In South Kalimantan, Blue Swimming Crab is highly valued for its sweet flavor and delicate white meat. The fishery relies on wild crab populations harvested from coastal waters using traditional trap fishing methods.
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
Blue Swimming Crab fisheries in South Kalimantan are managed under Indonesia’s national fisheries regulations established by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Management measures include minimum legal size requirements, protection of egg-bearing females, and harvest control measures outlined in Indonesia’s national Blue Swimming Crab management framework.
The fishery operates primarily within Fisheries Management Area 713 (WPP 713). Fishery monitoring programs, biological studies, and stock assessments contribute to improving understanding of stock conditions and fishing activities within the region. Research conducted in Kotabaru and Tanah Laut waters has provided important information regarding population dynamics and stock status of Blue Swimming Crab in South Kalimantan.
Blue Swimming Crab fishing activities are generally conducted in nearshore coastal waters characterized by sandy and muddy substrates. Baited crab traps remain an important fishing method used by many small-scale fishers targeting Blue Swimming Crab throughout the province.
Industry organizations such as APRI collaborate with fishers, collectors, processors, researchers, and government stakeholders to support traceability systems, fishery monitoring, and responsible fishing practices. These collaborative efforts help strengthen compliance with applicable regulations and support continued access to international seafood markets.
Through these combined efforts at national, regional, and industry levels, the South Kalimantan Blue Swimming Crab fishery continues to support coastal livelihoods while contributing to the ongoing development of responsible fisheries management in Indonesia.
