This manual, titled “Nursery Culture of Mangrove Crab Megalopae (Scylla serrata) in Pond-Based Net Cages,” is part of SEAFDEC/AQD’s effort to assess the potential of using megalopae as the starting stock in pond-based net cage nurseries. The method is intended to enhance survival rates during the grow-out stage. Given the increasing availability of hatchery-reared megalopae and the high cost of crab instars, the manual also evaluates the cost-effectiveness and practical advantages of using megalopae in nursery operations. Hatchery-sourced megalopae offer key benefits over wild-caught ones, including consistent supply, environmental sustainability, disease-free status, species certainty, and stable pricing. This approach could help increase hatchery production cycles and lower overall production expenses in the crab farming industry. The manual covers various aspects, including mangrove crab biology, site selection, pond preparation, nursery management, packing and transport procedures, and economic analysis. The authors hope this resource will serve as a practical guide for crab farmers, farm managers, aquaculture professionals, technicians, and students by providing essential knowledge on science-based aquaculture practices.

This extension manual "Best Operational Practices for Biosecure Farming of Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in Earthen Ponds," is designed to meet the urgent needs for a comprehensive, time-ready guide that bridges gap between theoretical aquaculture models and on-ground execution. It consolidates critical technical protocols, from pond design, water management, feed scheduling, biosecurity, probiotics, and efficient harvesting into a coherent step by step format suitable for farm managers and extension workers. Rooted in regionally relevant evidence-based practices, including stocking densities reflective of extensive to intensive systems, precise water quality targets (salinity 15–25 ppt, temperature 29–33 °C, and dissolve oxygen >2.7 ppm), and sludge-removal and disinfection protocols. It provides clear performance benchmarks for growth, survival and productivity. Further, it emphasizes biosecurity-covering intake filtration, probiotic use, routine sampling, and pond drying to mitigate diseases risks endemic to P. monodon. The manuals adaptability across farming intensities and its insistence on monitoring and record-keeping empower farmer to continuously optimize operations, enhancing both economic resilience and environmental stewardship.