|
The status of mangrove mud
crab fishery in Kenya, East Africa
Esther N. Fondo*, Edward N. Kimani and Dixon O. Odongo
Kenya Marine and Fisheries
Research Institute, P. O. Box 81651 – 80100,
Mombassa, Kenya.
*Corresponding author. E- mail:
efondo@kmfri.co.ke .
Tel: +254-41-475154, Fax: +254-41-475157
Accepted 27th January, 2010 |
|
Mangrove mud crabs,
Scylla sp. are among crustaceans of commercial
value along the Kenyan coast and in many mangrove areas in
the Western Indian Ocean region. In Kenya the crabs are
landed by artisanal fishermen. Rising population in the
coastal areas and high demand for the crabs has led to
increased pressure on the crabs. The population structure
and maturity stages of Scylla serrata from Ngomeni -
Fundisa area of Malindi were investigated from July 2005 to
July 2006. The size of crabs caught ranged from 50 to 125 mm
carapace length, with crabs of 75 mm carapace length
dominating. Male crabs dominated in the captured population.
Linear relationships were obtained for both female and male
crabs for the Carapace length - Carapace width. The size at
first maturity was at 75 and 70 mm carapace length for male
and female crabs respectively. There is an indication of
exploitation pressure on the population and to ensure
sustainable management, regulation on the minimum size of
the crabs to be caught is recommended.
Key words: Malindi, mangroves, maturity stages, mud
crab, population structure, Scylla serrata. |
