Investigation of containerization for transportation of live blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus

Abstract

Simulated over-the-road transportation studies were designed to determine the survival rate of blue crabs in various types of containers and at three storage temperatures. Survival rates were evaluated for seven container designs at test temperatures 5, 10, 20°C during a 96-hr storage period. The best survival rate for blue crabs out of water was at 10°C in open baskets with moist burlap packaging (80–95% relative humidity). Mean mortalities under these conditions were 4.2% after 24 hr, 5.0% after 36 hr, and 16.7% after 48 hr storage. Tests on the frequency of handling the crabs indicated that these mortalities were probably high. The results of this study indicated that procedures which encompass an open type container with a method to maintain high humidity, such as moist burlap, and temperature control (approx. 10°C) will substantially improve the survival of blue crabs. Differential survival by sex indicate that the geographical distribution of the crabs deserves further study.