If crabs are to be transported to a
temporary storage facility or processing
shed, once taken from the water they
are typically stored in a fish crate or
container and covered with dampened
material (e.g. hessian sack) (Figure 10.2)
to reduce desiccation and protect against
flies. Some preliminary sorting (by size,
sex or missing limbs) may be undertaken
at this stage depending on arrangements
with the facility that will be doing the final
processing and packaging. If mud crabs are
to be held for some time before going to a
processing facility, the containers holding
the crabs should be kept in the shade and
kept moist to avoid dehydration and heat
stress. A spray system can be used to keep
crabs moist, temperatures moderate and
humidity high.