The Brackish water sector is an important area of pisciculture in the three coastal districts of West Bengal. In West Bengal, there are about 60000 hectare area is under culture out of 91000 ha of backwaters. Tiger shrimp (P. monodon), Vennamei shrimp (L. vennamei), Bhetki (L. calcerifar), Mullets (bhangon and parse) are the most common culturable fish species in brackish water system as because these fishes have huge local and export market. Crab farming is an another area of aquaculture in brackish water sector. Two types of crab culture are being practiced in coastal districts, GROW OUT CULTURE and CRAB FATTENNING. Crab fattening is more profitable to the farmers. It requires 15-20 days in a cycle. 7 to 8 cycle is possible in a year. Farming is mostly done in small ponds, 4-5 katta. In this system water crab are release in the ponds and  the pond dykes  are covered with poly-nets or bamboo splits pen. Water crabs are provided with trash fish as feed.

To extend the mud crab farming, we have formulated a scheme to be implemented in three coastal districts-PurbaMedinipur, South-24-Parganas and Nort-24-Parganas.

Assistance under this scheme has been provided in terms of Water Crab (soft crab) (150-200 gms size male and female crab), as Government Contributions. Beneficiary contributions are Lime, Feed (raw fish) @ 10% of body weight/day, Harvesting, roping and packing cost etc. The unit area of the Scheme is 5 katta.

• Government assistance of is Rs.43500.00. Water Crab ( Soft crab) 150-200 gm size is provided under this scheme.