Physiological changes during simulated live transport of Cancer pagurus and recovery in holding tanks |
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| Authors: | Sara Barrento António Marques Paulo Vaz‐Pires Maria Leonor Nunes |
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| Institution: | 1. Research Unit of Upgrading of Fishery and Aquaculture Products (U‐VPPA), National Institute of Biological Resources (INRB I.P./L‐IPIMAR), , Lisboa, Portugal;2. Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS‐UP), University of Porto, , Porto, Portugal;3. Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto (CIIMAR‐UP), , Porto, Portugal |
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| Abstract: | The trade of live Cancer pagurus in Portugal is totally dependent on imports, mainly from UK. Animals are transported for 48–58 h in conditions that promote high mortalities (40–60%) due to cumulative stressors. The present work aimed to optimize transport, by comparing the physiological responses of edible crab during different simulated live shipment systems for 48 h and recovery conditions: (a) immersed crabs at 12°C; and (b) air‐exposed crabs at 4°C and subsequent recovery at 16°C with and without pre‐acclimation. Both simulated transport systems induced physiological stress, culminating in 25% mortality in immersed conditions and only 4% in air‐exposed conditions. Both systems elicited anaerobic responses marked by hyperglycaemia and increased l ‐lactate concentration in haemolymph. At the end of the recovery period only air‐exposed animals resumed to l ‐lactate and pH control values, the lowest mortality was achieved with crabs acclimated at the lowest temperature (from 6 to 16°C at 1.5°C/h). Overall, results showed that crabs can be transported in air‐exposed conditions at 4°C and acclimated from 6 to 16°C and reach similar physiological conditions than the traditional transport in immersed conditions at 12°C. |
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| Keywords: | crustacean crab transport recovery stress vigour |
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