The Practice Of Local Wisdom On Serrated Mud Crab Fattening In The Mangrove Of La-Ngu District, Satun Province

Abstract

This aim of this study was to investigate the practice of serrated mud crab fattening (SMCF) in relation to local wisdom in the mangrove forest of La-ngu district, Satun Province. The researchers conducted a documentary review involving local scholars and farmer’s interview on the practice of SMCF, fishery biologist interview, focus group discussion with farmers, and observations on the practices that were subjected to content analysis and interpretation by the use of triangulation. The results show that there are three types of SMCF practices: local wisdom culture, commercial culture, and mixed culture. There are also two types of SMCF practices identified in relation to local wisdom in La-ngu district among family members; namely: the single (sole) culture and the common (shared) culture. Furthermore, they inherited indigenous knowledge about the practice of serrated mud crab fattening for three generations. In addition, the SMCF local wisdom farmers provided their descendants with seven steps of SMCF practices through demonstrations and discussions. Also, their children and family learnt from them through observation and follow-up.