Mudcrab aquaculture may be an economic opportuniy for Maningrida, Arnhem Land
The Darwin Aquaculture Centre has bred crablets from mudcrabs caught near Maningrida. A pilot project commencing with 500 of these crablets will be run by the Indigenous community at Maningrida with support from NT Fisheries Officers.
Mangroves in the area will not be cleared, as the method of farming is dependent on keeping the environment inside the enclosure as natural as possible. The crabs will be raised in a protected netted area partly in the mangroves and partly in the water, allowing low intensity farming.
If commercially viable other communities may set up similar ventures.
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT: Gemma Buxton 0401 110 064
3 Comments
sounds a like it could be simple enough to do. would love some more info on techniques proposed,and if there is any land left to lease (or buy) for this purpose,especially in the darwin river area?
There is some more information in this Media release from April 2006.
Is there any way for people to do similar projects for turtles and dugongs? I heard they once tried turtle farming in the Torres Strait, (but this failed because of a lack of funding). such a project would provide an environmental sustainable traditional food source.