NIFS announced that it is distributing the crab gauge to the people who enjoy the marine leisure tourism for the protection of young blue crab, The tool is very handy to identify the prohibited size crab by measuring the carapace length (young blue crab: under 6.4cm). 

As the distribution density of young blue crab has increased in the western coastal waters since October, they are often found or caught by the people who enjoy the leisure activities. In this situation, the demand for the tool is pretty high because it is not easy for the people to identify whether the crab caught during the leisure activities is the prohibited size or not with their naked eyes. 

The West Sea Fisheries Research Institute of NIFS makes and distributes the measure tool for free to make the people join the efforts for protection and management of the crab resources. 

The research institute conducted experimental surveys on the catch in the Yellow Sea by using improved coastal stow nets. The survey showed that as the density of young blue crab has been increasing since October, the catch rate of the crab was found to be 90% in October and 75% in November. In case of Chungnam, it was found to be 91% in October. 

It is known that adult blue crabs migrate to the distant water in the Yellow Sea during winter, whereas the young crab hatched this year spend the winter time in the mud or between rocks in the coastal area. That's considered to be the cause of the increased density of young blue crab in the coastal water.