The Blue Crab (Portunus armatus) (formerly known as P. pelagicus) is distributed within near-shore, marine bays and estuarine systems in Australia and New Caledonia. The species occurs in a wide range of inshore habitats to a depth of at least 50 m. Blue Crabs generally reach sexual maturity at carapace widths of between 70 and 90 mm. The spawning season lasts for three to four months over the summer/autumn period.  In South Australian waters, Blue Crabs near the Minimum Legal Size (MLS = 110 mm carapace width) have reached sexual maturity and are ~14 to 18 months old. Females produce at least two batches of eggs within a single season. Fecundity of females is size dependent, increasing up to a carapace width of 134 mm and decreasing thereafter.  Between 650,000 and 1,760,000 eggs are produced per spawning event.

Source:  Assessment of the South Australian Marine Scalefish Fishery in 2018.  Report by PIRSA

Sustainability

West Coast – Sustainable
Spencer Gulf – Sustainable
Gulf St. Vincent – Sustainable

Source:  FRDC