How Research Helps Manage The Protection Of Crawfish

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Crawfish season officially comes to an end today. That means as of tomorrow, it will be illegal to harvest until July 31st.

The closed season coincides with the peak breeding time for crawfish, and experts say harvesting during these months reduces their reproduction.

But what else do we need to know about the crustacean? Researchers with the Bahamas National Trust want us to find out.

Chantal Curtis – Parks Planner & NP Parks Manager, Bahamas National Trust
“We are here at the park because our science team is going to be demonstrating one of the data collection methods that we utilize in this park, and it helps us to actually measure the presence of spiny lobster.”

This is how we spent our morning with the science team at the Bahamas National Trust in the mangroves of Bonefish Pond National Park, located on Cowpen Road.

On this field trip to the lush protected area, we focused our attention on the research the science team is conducting on the spiny lobster, better known to many of you watching at home as crawfish.

Using the Witham Collectors method, Chantal Curtis, Parks Planner and New Providence Parks Manager for BNT, explains how this process is executed.

Chantal Curtis – Parks Planner & NP Parks Manager, Bahamas National Trust
“It is a man-made material that’s made up of PVC pipes and some mesh that actually mimics the actual habitat of an algae called Laurencia that the spiny lobster use for the first part of their development, like once they pass the larval stage.”

The man-made contraptions are installed in several areas of the park and are retrieved on scheduled days throughout the month.

But what significance does this research hold?

Chantal Curtis – Parks Planner & NP Parks Manager, Bahamas National Trust
“And so us being able to collect vital information on whether or not there is the presence of juvenile spiny lobsters within the park not only guides the management of this protected area but also provides data that we can share in terms of their distribution throughout the region.”