Overview
The blue swimming crab Portunus segnis (Forskål, 1775) (Portunidae family) is one of the earliest Lessepsian invaders of the Mediterranean Sea and has been recorded for several decades in various Mediterranean areas. However, its presence on the southeastern Tunisian coasts is relatively recent (2014). The Gulf of Gabès is the most important state for this fishery (83% of the national catches). Catch reports show that the region of Gabès produces about 47%, while Medenine contributes to 42% of the catches and only 11.5% comes from the region of Sfax. Exports were about 7561 T in 2021 with a value of $23 million USD. From January to August 2022, exports reached 4400 T valued at $15 million USD. Overall, the fishery has greatly intensified, resulting in an increase in production from 38 T in 2015 to 7600 T in 2021. Therefore, the critical issue actually facing this fishery is the record of overexploitation signs in heavily fished coastal areas, along with the harvest of undersized crabs and ovigerous females, and the lack of management plans and mitigation actions for the intensive fishing. The sustainability challenges facing this fishery will be addressed through the active involvement of FIP stakeholders and FIP participants. In this context, we will work on the improvement of the BSC fishery which uses traps.
The blue swimming crab Portunus segnis (Forskål, 1775) (Portunidae family) is one of the earliest Lessepsian invaders of the Mediterranean Sea and has been recorded for several decades in various Mediterranean areas. However, its presence on the southeastern Tunisian coasts is relatively recent (2014). The Gulf of Gabès is the most important state for this fishery (83% of the national catches). Catch reports show that the region of Gabès produces about 47%, while Medenine contributes to 42% of the catches and only 11.5% comes from the region of Sfax.
FIP at a Glance
36% | 61% | 4% |
This pie chart represents completed environmental actions. Non-completed environmental actions may contain completed sub-tasks that are not illustrated here. For more information on environmental action progress visit the Actions Progress tab.
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