Sustainable Management of Crab Resources (Ucides Occidentalis) in the Mangrove Area Given in Concession to the Asociacion de Cangrejeros 6 de Julio, Provincia de Guayas
Case Study C0181
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| Date | 2003 |
| Agency | Asociacion de Cangrejeros 6 de Julio |
| Donor/support agency | UNCTAD BioTrade Initiative |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Community conserved area |
| Geographic coverage | Ecuador |
| Locality | Provincia de Guayas |
| Biodiversity focus | Wetlands ecosystem |
| Development focus | Local community |
| Conservation goals | Protect and sustainably manage the mangrove area given in concession to the local community |
| Poverty reduction goals | Promote alternative sources of income to harvesting of crabs |
Summary
The Asociacion de Cangrejeros 6 de Julio is a group of 110 people who have for immemorable time based their living on harvesting crabs (Ucides occidentalis). The crabs' reproduction site lies within a mangrove forest that has been threatened by the illegal expansion of shrimp farms, which are located on the outskirts of the 1399 hectares of mangrove forest that was given in concession to the Asociacion de Cangrejeros 6 de Julio by the Ecuadorian government for a period of 10 years. The Asociacion de Cangrejeros 6 de Julio aims to protect the mangrove forest from illegal logging and farming that destroy the forest and cause an invaluable loss of natural resources, which in turn leads to a reduced harvest of crabs and to rising level of poverty for the local community. To achieve a sustainable management of the forest, a boat was acquired to be used to patrol the area. Furthermore, during the times when harvesting crabs is prohibited, the boat is used by the members of the Asociacion who don't have other sources of income to catch other fishes. Finally, a study of the population of Ucides occidentalis was realised.
Conservation impact
14 canoes were purchased as part of the project. The canoes have been used to patrol the 1399 hectares of mangrove forest given in concession to the Asociacion de Cangrejeros 6 de Julio. The information on illegal activities thus collected is then passed on to the relevant authorities.
Poverty reduction impact
Following a biological and ecological study of the crabs' population in the mangrove forest, better plans were developed to improve the catchment and commercialisation of crabs, without affecting the sustainability of the population. Moreover, other income alternatives (i.e. fishing) were developed to sustain the local community during the times when harvesting crab is not permitted.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Devolution or reinstatement of local rights over/access to resources
Sustainable Use
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Reference 1
http://www.biocomercioecuador.org/biocomercio/docs/15_8Fund._Rescate_Jambeli.pdf
More information
E-mail: biocomercio@corpei.org.ec
Related records above this one:
- United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) (Organisation O0088)