‘First-ever’ Crab farm launched in Tobago to enhance quality of product

Port of Spain: The first-ever crab farm has been opened on the island of Tobago to meet the increasing demand for crabs in the market. The aim of the administration is to bring sustainability and quality of crabs.

As per the information, the farm is expected to have more than 2,000 crabs for the next seven months before they are distributed to supermarkets, vendors and restaurants.

The project is funded by Digicel and Shell TT as a ‘Sustainable Development Initiative.’ The plan was proposed by the Canaan Bon Accord community and same was selected as a pilot project.

Since the crab farm is the first of its kind, the project was started on a temporary basis to see if it would prove to be profitable. If the authorities see progress in the project, they will move the crab farm forward.

According to the reports, the Canaan/ Bon Accord community is a reputed organisation in the country, known for its appetizing dumpling fish and crab.

The sources revealed that for some years now, the size of the crabs decreased significantly in the market as vendors are selling young crabs to meet the higher demands. This has shaken the sale of crabs in the market of Tobago.

While addressing the contributors in the launch at the Buccoo Historical Park and Nature Centre, the Minister Shamfa Cudjoe- Lewis, serving as Tobago West MP and Sport and Community Development, lauded the idea of Canaan Accord Community for this initiative.

She favoured the idea of offering the necessary resources to the people in the community. Furthermore, she stated that such initiatives will empower the community and encourage them to come up with more thoughtful projects.

“If you teach people how to tap into what they really are, what they want, and give them the necessary resources to move, you’re going to see magic. You don’t have to spend too much on infrastructure. If you give people the resources, they are going to create the community they want”, Minister Lewis added.

Such efforts will reflect the secure and protective environment of the crabs in the coming years. The authorities are currently focusing on preserving the crabs so they will enhance their quality and enable people to enjoy the delicacy of crab and dumplings.