This archive report was first published on 20 December 2019.
Coastal group's mangrove conservation activities bear rewarding crab enterprise ¶
Located near Watamu Town in Kilifi County, a community-based environmental conservation group has successfully transformed its mangrove protection activities into a profitable crab enterprise.
The Dabaso Creek Conservation Group, comprising 30 members, initially focused on protecting mangroves in the Mida Creek, a 32km2 cove with sea grass and coral beds, home to various species of fish, sea turtles, crustaceans, and birdlife.
Group chairperson Benjamin Karisa explained that the members sought to diversify their income streams and hatched the idea of fattening crabs, which they initially sold to local tourist hotels along the coast.
However, they soon realized that they could make more money by processing the crabs into delicacies and serving them exclusively at their own eatery, the Crab Shack, situated among mangrove trees on the edge of Mida Creek.
The eatery, a modest wooden structure with boardwalks, has become a popular destination for tourists and locals, offering a range of crab delicacies, including crab samosas and sausages, alongside coconut rice and other coastal dishes.
Crab Shack's menu has also diversified to include fresh fish, prawns, and other locally sourced items, as well as drinks, wines, and cocktails.
The group aims to acquire at least 1000 cages for keeping more crabs, ensuring a sustainable supply and increasing their stocks.
According to Dickson Mizinga, a member of the group, the crabs are sustainably farmed as part of the group's ecological conservation initiatives, supporting local community and mangrove forest conservation activities.
These efforts are crucial, as mangrove forests are capable of delivering up to 30 percent of climate solution, and 11 percent of all carbon emissions stem from forest denudation, which can be undone by halting and reversing tropical deforestation.
