Hunting for rock crabs along the coast of Ca Mau.

The southwestern sea region of Vietnam, with its more than 300km of coastline and numerous islands and embankments, is suitable for the habitat and survival of rock crabs. In Ca Mau , rock crabs are abundant in coastal areas, especially in rocky crevices and concrete embankments.

This is a well-known delicacy due to its delicious, sweet, and firm flesh. The profession of hunting stone crabs has also provided additional income for dozens of poor households along the coast of Ca Mau.

Ms. Huynh Thu Ha (residing in Khanh Binh Tay commune, Tran Van Thoi district, Ca Mau province) shared: "Stone crabs only weigh an average of 150-200 grams. Female crabs have firmer meat than male crabs, and the meat in the claws is very sweet and has a special aroma, so most tourists coming to Ca Mau want to enjoy stone crabs or buy them as gifts for friends and relatives."

Having worked as a crab hunter for over 5 years, Mr. Phan Van Soi, residing in Khanh Binh Tay commune, Tran Van Thoi district, Ca Mau province, shared that during the monsoon season (from November of the previous year to March of the following year), crab hunting becomes much more bustling.

"Stone crabs are dark purple and dark gray in color. The claws are usually dark purple or grayish white, and the legs have many soft hairs. With 100 crab traps, I catch about 5-7 kg of stone crabs each day, selling them for 80,000-100,000 VND/kg (depending on size)," Mr. Soi shared.

Currently, in Kinh Hon hamlet, Khanh Binh Tay commune, there are nearly a dozen households engaged in hunting rock crabs along the embankment or cliffs.

"This job helps me earn extra income to support my family. It's also thanks to this job that my seven children have received a proper education. Regularly, every day, I set the traps around 3 PM the day before and check them at 7 AM the next morning," Mr. Soi further shared.

The main tools used for catching rock crabs are traps, and the bait used to lure them is small fish.

Those involved in hunting stone crabs have been earning between 300,000 and 500,000 VND per day. Stone crabs are popular with many diners and are prepared into many delicious and unique dishes such as: stir-fried stone crab with salt, grilled stone crab, and especially steamed stone crab with beer or steamed stone crab with lemongrass, which are very tasty.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/san-cua-da-ven-bien-ca-mau-1922402151340292.htm