Fishery of Blue Swimming Crab Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Northern Bohol, Philippines

The blue swimming crab fishery is considered a leading source of livelihood in Bohol province.This study aims to determine the status of blue swimming crab fishery, describe the market flow, and identify the problems and challenges involved in the blue swimming crab industry in Bohol.A mixed-methods of research was used in the study that employed collection of both qualitative and quantitative data.Data were gathered through surveys aided with survey-questionnaires validated with personal interviews and focus group discussion.The study was conducted in the four northern coastal municipalities in Bohol, namely Tubigon, Inabanga, Getafe, and Talibon, for three months from October to December 2018.A total of 150 crab fishers, 32 traders, and 5 crab meat picking plants were surveyed.Results revealed that there was a decline in blue swimming crab catch, but the demand for the product in the market was consistently high.The production of blue swimming crab in the identified areas showed an increasing trend from October to December.Generally, the blue swimming crab caught by the crab fishers are sold fresh locally to different channels of distribution, including traders, local wet markets, crab meat picking plants, local establishments, and end consumers.The problems involved include the steady decline in the volume of production of blue swimming crab primarily due to lack of awareness of the industry players on the existing policies regulating blue swimming crab fishery.The blue swimming crab industry is a continuous and stable fishery industry in Bohol; however, the industry is facing challenges that are threats to its sustainability.