East Nusa Tenggara
Indonesia
Blue Swiming Crab Trap
Location & History
Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) fisheries provide an important source of livelihood for coastal communities throughout East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Fishing activities occur across numerous coastal areas and islands within the province, where small-scale fishers harvest Blue Swimming Crab from shallow coastal waters and nearshore marine habitats.
The fishery has developed alongside increasing domestic and international demand for Blue Swimming Crab products, creating economic opportunities for fishers, collectors, processors, and other participants throughout the seafood supply chain. In collaboration with industry stakeholders and the Indonesian Blue Swimming Crab Association (APRI), initiatives have been implemented to support fishery monitoring, traceability, and data collection programs.
The fishery operates primarily within Indonesia’s Fisheries Management Area 573 (WPP 573), which includes the Indian Ocean south of Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara, as well as adjacent coastal waters surrounding East Nusa Tenggara. The region contributes to Indonesia’s broader Blue Swimming Crab supply chain and supports both domestic and export markets.
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 East Nusa Tenggara. Trap fishing is a selective and passive fishing method that targets crabs while reducing interactions with non-target species and minimizing disturbance to surrounding habitats.
Fishing activities are generally conducted in shallow coastal waters characterized by sandy and muddy seabed habitats where Blue Swimming Crab are commonly found. Fishers typically operate small vessels on short fishing trips and return catches to local landing sites and collection centers.
After landing, crabs are sorted according to applicable regulations and buyer requirements. Monitoring and data collection activities contribute to improved understanding of catch trends and support responsible fishery management efforts.
Unique Features & Fun Fact
The Blue Swimming Crab fishery in East Nusa Tenggara supports coastal livelihoods across numerous islands and fishing communities throughout the province. Fishing, collection, processing, and distribution activities contribute to local economic development and provide employment opportunities within the seafood sector.
East Nusa Tenggara is characterized by an extensive coastline and diverse marine habitats, including shallow coastal waters, estuaries, seagrass areas, and habitats associated with mangrove ecosystems. These environments provide suitable habitat for Blue Swimming Crab and many other marine species.
The province is located within the Coral Triangle region, an area recognized for its rich marine biodiversity. This diverse marine environment supports a variety of coastal fisheries that are important to local communities.
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 East Nusa Tenggara, Blue Swimming Crab is 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 East Nusa Tenggara
Blue Swimming Crab Fisheries in East Nusa Tenggara
Blue Swimming Crab fisheries in East Nusa Tenggara 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 573 (WPP 573). Monitoring activities, fishery data collection programs, and scientific studies contribute to ongoing efforts to improve understanding of fishing activities and resource utilization within the region.
Blue Swimming Crab fishing activities are generally conducted in nearshore coastal waters characterized by sandy and muddy substrates. Baited crab traps are commonly used by small-scale fishers targeting Blue Swimming Crab throughout coastal communities in East Nusa Tenggara.
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 East Nusa Tenggara Blue Swimming Crab fishery continues to support coastal livelihoods while contributing to the ongoing development of responsible fisheries management in Indonesia.
