FishSource

Sri Lanka blue swimming crab - bottom gillnet (FIP)

Last Updated: 2024-10-16

Progress Rating: C

Evaluation Start Date: 2023-11-19

Type: Comprehensive

Status: Active

FIP Lead: Seafood Exporters' Association of Sri Lanka (SEASL), Pelagikos Private Limited (PPL)

Stock Profile Link
Blue swimming crab - Sri Lanka

Comments:

The FIP has reactivated from being previously completed on Fishery Progress. With a new workplan in place, we will use that as the new evaluation date and the FIP will become C rated.

1. FIP Development	Jan 18	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 1 January 2018 — A revised assesment for the Sri Lanka Blue Swimming Crab is now available (2018). 1 May 2014 — A final report of the Sri Lankan Blue Swimming Crab Fishery Assessment is available (revised; process started in 2013) 25 November 2013 — A report of the Sri Lankan Blue Swimming Crab Fishery Assessment is available (revised)
2. FIP Launch	May 18	Confirmation of project participants 1 May 2018 — Participants have been updated. 1 May 2013 — Seafood Exporters Association of Sri Lanka (SEASL) is the FIP lead
2. FIP Launch	Nov 23	Workplan made public 19 November 2023 — Updated 2023 workplan 23 May 2019 — Work plan 2018-2019 made public 23 May 2019 — Work plan 2020-2021 made public 3 January 2018 — Work plan 2017-2018 made public 1 June 2016 — Work plan 2016-2017 made public 27 May 2014 — Complete workplan 2013-2016 with activities, milestones and progress status 1 November 2013 — Broad (logic) workplan 1 November 2013 — Development workplan for 2013 with tasks, milestones and details of progress
3. FIP Implementation	Aug 24	FIP activities undertaken 23 August 2024 — Twelve inspectors conducted the first compliance survey of the Palk Bay fishery from November 2023 to February 2024, based on 2022 regulations; a preliminary report has been made available. 23 August 2024 — A draft report has been produced on sea turtle entanglements within the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay from December 2022 to June 2024; over 2,800 turtles were recorded, with olive ridley turtles identified as the most frequently entangled species. 22 August 2024 — A database on 15 non-target species in the fishery was updated using data from eight studies (2015-2019) and seven new studies (2023-2024), recording 187 species across various categories. 1 August 2024 — Fishery inspectors from DFAR and pelagikos pvt ltd conducted the 10th annual assessment of the BSC fishery in both the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar in 2024, measuring several female crabs for maturity. Results showed that both fisheries were underfished and sustainable, with no signs of growth or recruitment overfishing, and most crabs measured at or above optimum size. 10 March 2021 — Workshop report; first technical training program on stock assessment and fish management tranining held 1 March 2021 — Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay 2020 stock assessments completed 17 September 2020 — 6th annual stock assessment conducted in GoM fishery; preliminary results made available 9 September 2020 — Letter sent to the Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources requesting permission to conduct legal training with police, Sri Lankan navy and district officers 14 July 2020 — The ecological impact assessment of fishing on marine habitats in the Palk Bay fishery was updated in July 1 September 2019 — Data from stock Assessments completed for Paulk Bay and Gulf of Mannar for 2015-2019 made public 1 September 2019 — The FIP completed a further two non-target species studies in the Palk Bay fishery and four new non-target species studies in the Gulf of Mannar fishery during the first semester of 2019 and results published in Summary report 13 March 2019 — Report on the ecological impacts of BSC fisheries on marine habitats in the Gulf of Mannar 12 March 2019 — Report on the ecological impact of BSC fisheries on marine habitats in the Palk Bay 27 March 2017 — In 2017 a report was produced on non-target species studies in the Palk Bay 27 March 2017 — In 2017 a report was produced on non-target species studies in the Gulf of Mannar 31 December 2016 — Consultation program to codify current fishing practicies being conducted. 15 December 2016 — Fishery mapping exercise conducted. 20 September 2016 — SEASL has drafted a harvest control strategy which includes: the Fishery and Aquatic Resources Act (1996), federal regulations for the BSC fishery, the establishment of rules and management tools for BSC fisheries 10 June 2016 — The 3rd Annual SLBSC FIP National Steering Committee Meeting was held at the Sri Lanka Foundation on Monday, 28th March 2016. 18 March 2015 — MSC Eco-labelling Training Programme 1 March 2015 — DFAR/BOBLME subproject, which will establish the current level of fishing effort–number of vessels, number and types of gear; fishing frequency – in the BSC fishery in four districts. 1 February 2014 — Establishment of a Steering Committee (SC) for the SLBSC FIP comprising representatives of all relevant participants 1 February 2014 — Formulation of a research plan & provision of financial support to local universities & NARA to conduct research into key aspects of the SLBSC fishery, consistent with MSC Principles 1 & 2 (ongoing) 1 February 2014 — Design, development & implementation of a process monitoring & evaluation mechanism the SLBSC fishery management system 1 November 2013 — Study of crab hatchery technology: measures to mitigate the impact of harvesting ovigerous females
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Jan 21	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 1 January 2021 — Taprobane Seafood Group Pvt Ltd signs the Voluntary Code of Conduct for Responsible Purchasing; Taprobane agreed not to purchase crabs weighing less than 100 g at any of their primary processing centers 20 May 2020 — BMT score 2.4.3 increase; CAB MSC Pre Assessment 2020 - Review of Six Indicators 20 May 2020 — BMT score 2.2.2 increase; CAB MSC Pre Assessment 2020 - Review of Six Indicators 20 May 2020 — BMT score 3.2.3 increase; CAB MSC Pre Assessment 2020 - Review of Six Indicators 20 May 2020 — BMT score 1.2.1 increase; CAB MSC Pre Assessment 2020 - Review of Six Indicators 20 May 2020 — BMT score 2.4.2 increase; CAB MSC Pre Assessment 2020 - Review of Six Indicators 20 May 2020 — Increase to MSC PI score 1.2.2. 30 June 2018 — Palk Bay BSC fishery management plan published 30 June 2018 — Gulf of Mannar BSC fishery management plan published 31 December 2016 — Fishermen leaders from the three districts are working on a unified voluntary code of conduct for the BSC major fishery due to come into operation January 2017. 1 December 2016 — Studies to determine blue swimming crab fishery's impact on non-target species. 31 March 2016 — Stock assessments are being conducted on an ongoing basis using length based spawning potential ratio (LB SPR) with data collected from local fishers at landing site 1 October 2014 — SEASL completed a 1-month stock assessment in Kalpitiya as part of grant awarded by UN-IOM, using SPR methodology. Trials on a gill-net selectivity study were also undertaken in Kalpititya, which will feed into another gillnet selectivity study by UN-ILO in the North of the country.
5. Improvements on the Water	Sep 19	Verifiable improvement on the water 1 September 2019 — 2019 STOCK ASSESSMENT – PALK BAY i)The results of the 5th annual stock assessment conducted between March & May 2019 suggested that the fishery was currently being fished at or above a level consistent with a sustainably managed fishery (LBSPR = 0.2). 1 September 2019 — 2019 STOCK ASSESSMENT – GULF OF MANNAR FISHERY The results of the 5th annual stock assessment conducted in May and June 2019 suggested that the fishery was currently being fished at or above a level consistent with a sustainably managed fishery (LBSPR = 0.57). A
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public