CHITTAGONG: 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, reports BSS.
Dr Nurul Abser Khan, dean at department of Fisheries of Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Science University (CVASU) told the news agency yesterday 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 on Firday 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.