Sustainable farming practices of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) around Hongze Lake, lower Yangtze River Basin, China.
Results of a survey of 156 Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) grow-out farms around Hongze Lake (118.48-118.72°E; 33.36-33.38°N) are reported. Area farmed has remained relatively unchanged but production (59 932 t in 2012) increased steadily over the last 7 years, indicative of the viability and sustainability of the farming system that has gradually replaced intensive Chinese major carp polyculture around Hongze Lake. Results showed that production range was 135-2400 kg ha(-1) cycle(-1) (mean 1144 ± 34). Crab yields correlated linearly to stocking density and conformed to a normal distribution curve, with 66.7 % of farms yielding 900 kg ha(-1) cycle(-1) or more. Yield was negatively correlated to pond size and capture size (p < 0.01), and farms with macrophyte coverage rate lower than 30 % of water surface were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those exceeding 30 %.
State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, People's Republic of China. wangqd@ihb.ac.cn.|National Research Centre for Freshwater Fisheries Engineering, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, People's Republic of China. wangqd@ihb.ac.cn.
Qidong
Q
Wang
State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, People's Republic of China. jsliu@ihb.ac.cn.|National Research Centre for Freshwater Fisheries Engineering, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, People's Republic of China. jsliu@ihb.ac.cn.
Jiashou
J
Liu
Hongze Lake Fisheries Management Committee Office, East Huanghe Road, Huaian, 223002, People's Republic of China. hzhzsy@126.com.
Shengyu
S
Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, People's Republic of China. lianyx@ihb.ac.cn.|University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China. lianyx@ihb.ac.cn.
Yuxi
Y
Lian
College of Life Science, Huaiyin Normal University, 111 West Changjiang Road, Huaian, 223300, People's Republic of China. huaiyu-ding@163.com.
Huaiyu
H
Ding
State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, People's Republic of China. beautyduxue@sina.com.|University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China. beautyduxue@sina.com.
Xue
X
Du
State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 South Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, People's Republic of China. zhongjie@ihb.ac.cn.
Zhongjie
Z
Li
School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Warrnambool, VIC, 3280, Australia. sena.desilva@deakin.edu.au.
Sena S
SS
De Silva
D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003386:Brachyura; D002681:China; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004032:Diet; D060106:Lakes; D010944:Plants; D060753:Water Quality; D014881:Water Supply
Chinese mitten crab; Eriocheir sinensis; Farming practice; Feed type; Hongze lake; Macrophyte; Yield