Last Updated: October 18, 2023, 19:01 IST
China has a very high demand for crabs from this region.
SM Fisheries now sends 300 kg of crab abroad every two days.
The famous Mangalorean crab dish is a traditional delicacy, made with a variety of spices that has its origins in Mangaluru. The city of Mangaluru is known for its exotic seafood which is sent to different parts of the country. Since the crab dish is a delicacy here, it goes without saying that the port city houses numerous crabs, which are found on the beaches. Just like how fish is transported to other cities of India from the city, crabs are exported to countries like China, Malaysia and Singapore.
A private firm by the name SM Fisheries has been engaged in exporting these exotic crabs to nations like East Asia and SouthEast Asia. Three brothers, Abdul Samad, Muhammad Asif, and Fayyaz Ahmed came together in 2008 to form the organisation to export mud crabs and red crabs. At the confluence of the river and the sea, mud crabs inhabit the rocks. China has a very high demand for this crab. This crab is only hunted for food, and a special net is needed to capture them. The price of this crab in the 3-day live market is between Rs 1000 to 1500. These crabs can survive for three days without water. They do not eat any food after coming out of the water.
SM Fisheries now sends 300 kg of crab abroad every two days. Earlier, a man from Chennai used to buy crabs from local fishermen at a low price and send them abroad. Now, the firm run by the three brothers has taken over and employs mud crab fishermen from Mangaluru to Karwar. The crabs are first flown to Kolkata and from there, they are sent to countries like China, Singapore and Malaysia.
The recently introduced cargo facilities, which were unveiled at Mangaluru International Airport, greatly facilitated the easy transport of crabs abroad via Kolkata.