‍A gift from nature

Maguimithrax spinosissimus not only does it play a crucial role as an herbivore on the reef, but it also has amazing potential in terms of sustainable and profitable mariculture. Its biological characteristics make it a star of the marine world: an exceptional taste, a mainly herbivorous diet, rapid growth and is a native species of the Caribbean. At a time when economic alternatives are essential, especially for growing food tourism markets, the King Crab offers a unique opportunity- to become a reliable source of crabs to boost coral restoration by assisting the survival of coral fragments and recruits.

Our main objectives

Our main goal is to increase herbivory on the reef which will reduce the proliferation of harmful macroalgae and contribute to the recovery of the marine ecosystem. To achieve this, we need to develop:

Objective 1: Local Mariculture

Through the adaptation of mariculture techniques developed by experts from the Greater Caribbean, we seek to establish a successful mariculture of the King Crab in the local conditions of the Mesoamerican Reef System.

Objective 2: Restoration of the Marine ecosystem

We intend to co-introduce juvenile crabs along with other coral restoration projects increasing protective herbivory and ultimately biodiversity.

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Medium-Term Sustainability

Restoring reef ecosystem services not only meets sustainable development goals, but also contributes to marine conservation and combating climate change. One of the cornerstones of this project is its focus on self-sustainability in the medium term, through a business model of crab farming adapted to our region. This would provide an economic alternative for local fishing communities, independent of climatic and fishing fluctuations.

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Together we are stronger

The union of forces and efforts is key!

This project is aligned with reef restoration activities funded by the State of Quintana Roo and has received support from various organizations such as WWF, the Smithsonian Institution, Flotilla Foundation and MAR+Invest, in addition to having been awarded the WinWin sustainable aquaculture award.

The local implementation of the project is carried out thanks to the collaboration with CRIAP-INAPESCA in Quintana Roo and TASA in Belize.

We want to leverage the network of HRI partners we have created, including today more than 70 organizations, to replicate these efforts on additional reefs in the Mesoamerican Reef System.

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Note: SEMA: Secretaria Ejecutiva del Medio Ambiente; CRIAP - INAPESCA: Centros Regionales de Investigación Pesquera - Instituto Nacional de Pesca; TASA: Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association.

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