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Mud crab
Mud crab farmed in Queensland
(photograph courtesy of B Miller)

Farmed crabs

Queensland aquaculture farms are now supplying high-quality blue swimmer and mud crabs to restaurants and seafood retailers.

You may notice farmed crabs in the market that are female or smaller than wild-caught product. This is because farmed crabs are not restricted by the same size and gender limitations as wild-caught crabs.

Wild-caught crabs are regulated to ensure the sustainability of the species in their natural habitat, protect the environment and maintain recreational and commercial fisheries-as farmed crabs are produced in an artificially controlled environment, they are not subject to the same regulations.

Crabs are farmed with a high degree of control to ensure consistency and quality of product.

Farmed crabs can be supplied in the standard hard shell and also as soft shell, which has recently emerged as a gourmet product. Soft-shell crabs are harvested immediately after the natural moulting of the hard shell, so the crab is soft enough to be eaten whole.

Crab aquaculture is an emerging sector with strong potential for the future. At this early stage production is relatively low, with the majority of product supplied to the restaurant sector. As the industry expands in the coming years, availability is likely to increase.

soft-shelled crab dinner
Soft-shell crab served tempura style
(photograph courtesy of T Waller)

All aquaculture farms are subject to rigorous evaluation before consent is given for development. Movement of aquaculture product is stringently monitored by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) to ensure only farmed crabs can be sold free of size and gender limitations.

If you see small or female crabs and are concerned about their origin, ask if the product is farmed or wild caught. If you are not satisfied with the answer, contact DPI&F on 13 25 23.

Download this brochure

You can download this information as a brochure - Farmed Crabs ( PDF download PDF 141 kB)

Further information

If you require any further information or to obtain a hard copy of the brochure, phone the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.

 
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Last updated 18 October 2007


 

© The State of Queensland, (Primary Industries and Fisheries within the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation) 1995-2009.
Copyright protects this material. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act, reproduction by any means (photocopying, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise), making available online, electronic transmission or other publication of this material is prohibited without the prior written permission of The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Queensland. Inquiries should be addressed to copyright@dpi.qld.gov.au (Queensland residents phone 13 25 23; non-Queensland residents phone 61 7 3404 6999).