7,000 mud crablets released at Draunibota Bay

7,000 mud crablets released at the Draunibota Bay, Lami this afternoon will help rebuild the depleted wild crabs stock at the bay and nearby mangrove areas.

While releasing the baby mud crabs at the bay, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said the Fiji Crab Company is the first company in the country to be able to produce such an exceptionally good batch of juvenile crabs in its hatchery at the University of the South Pacific and at the Navua Crab Farm.

Bainimarama said he is delighted that Fiji is fighting back with an imaginative and concerted effort to restock these mangroves.

The Prime Minister added what really is of concern is the harvesting of undersized fish, crabs, lobsters, prawns and many other sea delicacies.

He said by doing so we are not allowing them to reach their full potential and to repopulate.

Meanwhile, Fiji Crab Company Director Wilco Liebregts said they are currently supporting a village community in Serua to manage and operate several mangrove banks which they hope to expand once the first batch of crablets is harvested next month.