Egg-bearing female crabs banned from catching and selling until year-end; violators face up to 150,000 fine

Taiwan has implemented a ban on the catching and selling of egg-bearing female crabs, effective from August until the end of December, to ensure the sustainability of marine resources. This seasonal prohibition aims to protect the crabs during their peak breeding period.

Individuals caught violating these regulations, which include prohibitions on landing or possessing crabs with detached abdominal shells, face penalties of up to 150,000 New Taiwan dollars. The Fisheries Agency highlighted that these measures, along with year-round restrictions on selling undersized crabs, have shown positive results.

Specifically, regulations restrict the catch of crabs with a carapace width less than 9 centimeters (for mud crabs, blue crabs) or 7 centimeters (for swimming crabs), and those with a carapace length less than 6 centimeters (for slipper lobsters). The agency reported that average crab catches increased to 1,400 tons last year, up from approximately 1,100 tons in 2021, indicating the effectiveness of the management strategies in bolstering crab populations.