Blue Swimmer Crab or Sand Cab Portunus Pelagicus
Where Found in the Wild:
Blue swimmer crabs are marine coastal animals. They occur in bays, estuaries and intertidal areas to depths of 60m. These crabs prefer muddy or sandy bottoms but can also be found on rubble, seagrass and seaweed. At dawn and dusk they feed most vigorously on shellfish, other crustaceans, worms and brittle-stars on the sea floor. In Australia, blue swimmer crabs inhabit coastal waters from Cape Naturaliste in Western Australia, around the north of Australia to the south coast of New South Wales.
Blue swimmer crabs grow up to 22cm in carapace width, and over 1kg. Growth occurs through the process of moulting. This involves the shedding of the hard exoskeleton and the swelling of soft body tissues to expand the new soft shell before it becomes calcified and hard. The common size of crabs varies between populations. Male crabs are blue or purple with pearly white mottling. Female crabs are much less colourful, being drab brown with pale mottling. Female crabs are also much smaller than males. The main predators on adult crabs are turtles, sharks, rays and large fish. A wide variety of fish and other crustaceans are likely predators on small juveniles.
Description of Species as a Gourmet Product:
Harvested just after moulting their hard outer shells, soft shell crabs are a spectacular delicacy. Their sweet taste and unique texture have earned them a worldwide reputation. The crabs are most often deep fried using a light tempura batter to cover the crab and are nearly 100% edible.
How is It Farmed
When was it domesticated
Sand crab & mud crab domestication began in early 2000 in collaboration between DPIF and Industry partners. Farming techniques are similar to that of prawn farming with female crabs being spawned in saltwater hatcheries then the juvenile crabs are grown to a marketable size in either saltwater ponds or intensive indoor farms.
Because the crabs are cannibolistic they need to be housed in individual compartments or given plenty of room in ponds. Where is it farmed
Most if not all farming in Australia to date has occurred in Queensland because of its warm temperate waters allowing for fast growth rates. Commercial production and supply of soft shell sand crabs began in 2003.
How much is produced
There is currently less than 50 tonnes produced annually in Queensland.
Where is it sold
The fine dining sector in Australia has taken great interest in this new product and is mainly sold as an entrée item because of its relative high cost.
Where can it be found in the restaurant trade
Watermark Seafoods (Brisbane) currently supplies the restaurant trade in Australia.
Coral Coast Mariculture (Bundaberg) is expecting to begin production in the near future.
Watermark Seafoods supplied the soft shell crabs for this function. Watermark farms and value adds a number of different lines of gourmet seafoods.
Watermark is located on Bancroft Rd, Eagle Farm, Brisbane (near Birsbane airport)
For further information:
Watermark Seafoods
07-3860 6866 ph
07-3860 6899 fax
0412 868 445
