Basseterre, Saint Kitts, June 04, 2025 (MOA):
In a pioneering transfer for marine conservation and financial sustainability, the Division of Marine Assets of St. Kitts and Nevis partnered with the Caribbean Aquatic Restoration Effort St. Kitts and Nevis (C.A.R.E.SKN) to host a dynamic, week-long coaching targeted on farming the native Caribbean King Crab.
This initiative marks a transformative step in defending the Federation’s fragile coral reef ecosystems whereas creating modern livelihood alternatives for native fishers. The coaching which wrapped up on Friday, follows a strategic assembly held on Thursday, Could 8, 2025, led by CARESKN Co-Administrators Valerie Gregoire and Rudell Williams.
Gregoire defined the importance of the species, stating, “The rationale why we selected the King crab is as a result of it’s an modern and new method of supporting coral restoration and in addition as a result of it has financial worth, the place we may additionally convey one thing else, a livelihood for fishers who’re . We’re not importing something — these are native Caribbean king crabs that we have already got right here. The concept is to supply the crab farm till they attain a sure measurement after which introduce them again into the reef.”
The Caribbean King Crab is a strong ally in reef conservation. By feeding on dangerous algae that suffocate corals, these crustaceans naturally contribute to reef well being and biodiversity. Their position as “reef cleaners” positions them as each an ecological asset and a sustainable useful resource.
Co-Director and Marine biologist Rudell Williams emphasised the broader social and financial advantages of the initiative.
He mentioned, “We’re accustomed to fish. We’re accustomed to shrimp, however no one ever noticed king crab domestically on their plate and so this offers the fisher folks not solely fisher folks, however an individual additionally who could be excited about venturing into one of these subject as a potential profession to open up the probabilities in our native communities in St. Kitts and Nevis for particular person to have the ability to farm, learn to scuba dive and go on the market on the reef, do monitoring and produce again that crab that was farmed proper right here in our ocean. Other than grazing, it’s additionally for sustainable fishing and so we have now that various for our fisher folks. If they’ll’t catch fish, not less than they’ve the king crab.”
Williams additionally highlighted the potential for eating places and the tourism sector to embrace the king crab as a domestically sourced delicacy, additional boosting financial progress.
In the meantime, Alvin Heyliger, Aquaculture Officer on the Division of Marine Assets, provided his perspective on the coaching.
The biologist said, “I discover this initiative to be fairly well timed, and it additionally suits into the overarching work program for the Aquaculture unit for the event, as one of many principal targets for [our department] is to boost the livelihood of fishers. This program may also be helpful to us on the Division of Marine Assets because it additional enhances our expertise by way of animal husbandry in the case of aquatic organisms. It additionally will allow us to additional improve the setting by the farming of the native Caribbean king crab.”
The intensive coaching was facilitated byDr. Jason Spadaro of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida — a number one skilled in marine restoration. As a part of this system, contributors discovered to assemble and handle cages for varied phases of the crab’s improvement, together with hatching, juvenile, and grownup crabs. The preliminary purpose is to put in two grownup cages and eight juvenile cagesinTamarind Cove, Nevis, and the South Peninsula, St. Kitts, with the crabs anticipated to succeed in harvest maturity after finishing their one-year life cycle.
This initiative is designed to help three main targets. First, it contributes to the rehabilitation of coral reefs by reintroducing algae-grazing crabs that assist scale back reef degradation. Second, it promotes sustainable fishing practices by providing crab farming as a viable various for fishers, significantly throughout off-seasons or when fish shares are low. Lastly, it offers various livelihoods by equipping native communities with invaluable expertise in aquaculture, reef monitoring, and sustainable seafood manufacturing.
The mission is supported by a number of key companions, together with UNOPS, UNDP, the GEF Small Grants Programme, and PROCARIBE+, every enjoying a significant position in bringing this modern coaching to life.
A second coaching session is ready to happen in November 2025, providing much more people the chance to have interaction with this rising new sector. Individuals excited about taking part within the second in a collection of King crab farmer coaching are inspired to name +18696609415 or e-mail information.careskn@gmail.com.
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