Economic prospects boosts crab farming in Cox’s Bazar

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CHITTAGONG, Feb 24, 2018 (BSS) – Economic prospects appeared to have
boosted crab farming in Cox’s Bazar coastlines with experts attributing the
phenomenon to its less possibility of being exposed to viruses unlike other
aquacultures like shrimp.

Dr Nurul Abser Khan, dean at department of Fisheries of Chittagong
Veterinary and Animal Science University (CVASU) told BSS Today that crab
farming is gradually becoming an alternative industry with currently
spreading of crab cultivation on 1.50 lakh acres of land.

He added crabs are being exported to at least 20 countries particularly in
China, Japan and Korea.

He also said that Fisheries Department, Cox’s bazar, formally began
construction of crab hatchery at Cox’s bazar for the first in the country
yesterday at a cost of TK over three crore.

Besides, CVASU, Cox’s bazar campus is going to construct another crab
hatchery in the popular tourist hub within very short time and now the
project is waiting for approval of Planning Commission, Dr Abser said.

He said shrimp cultivations in Cox’s Bazar is gradually declining due to
its easy infliction with different viruses, adding with increasing demand of
Bangladeshi crab abroad, crab cultivation is being made in scientific method.

It is mentionable that crab farmer of Cox’s bazar Aung Chin obtained
National Fish Award-2016 for his contribution to crab farming in the country.

Crab farmer Noor Mohammad said the main benefits of crab farming are – its
labor cost is very low, production cost is comparatively lower and they grow
very fast.

He added “we can earn more from crab farming business than shrimp farming
by proper care and management.”

To meet the growing demand of crab fries, Fishery Department, Cox’s bazar
has started the construction a broad based crab hatchery yesterday in South
Kalatali area of Cox’s Bazar district.

While addressing the inaugural ceremony of the construction work of the
hatchery, Director General of Fishery Directorate Syed Arif Azad said the
crab farming is gaining popularity day by day.