Blue Swimming Crab (Portunus pelagicus, Linnaeus 1758) Capture Fishery Practices in Tigbauan, Iloilo, Central Philippines

Blue swimming crab (BSC) (Portunus pelagicus) is an economically significant aquatic species contributing to the Philippine economy. Tigbauan, a coastal municipality in Iloilo, central Philippines, has been practicing BSC capture fishery for decades. However, there limited existing study on fishing practices this particular area. Thus, aimed assess status of Iloilo. A household survey was done October 2019 five crabbing villages (barangays) area using semi-structured questionnaire. Results showed that most crabbers (83.4%) were still living below country poverty threshold. Although some engaged other livelihood opportunities, marginal contribution from these earnings income inadequate supplement fundamental and family needs. Limiting their chances sources may be due lack formal education. Fishing gears used by locals pots locally known as panggal entangling net or bottom-set gillnet pukot. Crabbing operation varied each village regularly even twice day peak season time. The instances catching gravid females high. Hence, threatening wild stocks. Rampant trawling dragging activities also became big problem contributed catch decline. Strict implementation ordinances must carried out focused biology, seasonality, stock enhancement formulate effective management framework plan.