SIZE AT MATURITY OF BLUE SWIMMING CRAB (Portunuspelagicus) FOUND IN SARAWAK COASTAL WATER

Abstract

A total 1,093 blue swimming crabs (Portunus pelagicus) comprising of532 females and 561 males ofvarious sizes were randomly sampled from Sematan Fishing District of Sarawak. The study was carried out from 2003 to 2004. Size at maturity that is the size when 50 % of the crab was sexually matured (CW~0) occurred at 9.5 em CW for female and 8.5 em CW for the male. The results suggest that the Legal Minimum Carapace Width (LMCW) for the P. pelagicus should be considered. To ensure sustainability ofthe wild stock resource, it is proposed that the LMCW for P. pelagicus commercial fishery in Sarawak, should be greater than 9.5 em for P. pelagicus female and greater than 8.5 em for P. pelagicus male.