# Harvesting Practices and Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) of Bahamian Land Crabs: Bridging Gaps Between Traditional and Scientific Knowledge

## TL;DR

This study explores Bahamian land crab harvesting and local ecological knowledge, revealing threats like habitat loss and overharvesting, and highlighting the value of traditional knowledge for conservation.

## Contribution

The study bridges traditional and scientific knowledge by documenting local ecological insights and harvesting practices for Bahamian land crabs.

## Key findings

- Local crabbers identified habitat destruction and overharvesting as primary threats to white and black crab populations.
- Traditional knowledge provided insights into black crab ecology that align with and expand scientific understanding.
- Forest fires on Andros and invasive raccoons on Eleuthera were reported as island-specific threats to crab populations.

## Abstract

This study used surveys to examine the local ecological knowledge and harvesting practices for land crabs across The Bahamas. While crab capture rates and species preferences varied among the islands of Andros, New Providence, and Eleuthera, residents consistently identified similar conservation concerns. Habitat destruction and overharvesting emerged as primary threats to white and black crab populations. Additional challenges included forest fires on Andros and invasive raccoons on Eleuthera. Local crabbers demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of black crab ecology, providing insights that both supported and expanded existing scientific knowledge. Beyond their role as a food source, land crabs held significant cultural and economic value for Bahamian communities, highlighting the importance of sustainable management practices for these species.

Three species of land crab occur in The Bahamas; these are an important source of protein and income for Bahamian islanders. The crab harvesters represent an important and largely untapped knowledge source. We conducted surveys on the Bahamian islands of Andros, New Providence, and Eleuthera to document crabbing practices and catalogue this local ecological knowledge (LEK) of land crabs. The survey primarily employed close-ended questions targeting land crab harvesters; we also recorded general feedback from open-ended questions. Crab collection was primarily for self-consumption. Catch rates varied among islands, and were the highest on Andros. There was a preference for white land crabs (Cardisoma guanhumi) on Andros, whereas on Eleuthera and New Providence, there was no preference for either white or black crabs (Gecarcinus ruricola). The majority of respondents reported a decline in white and black crab numbers, with land development and overharvesting being consistently cited factors. On Andros, forest fires were also reported to account for the loss of crab habitat, whereas on Eleuthera, invasive raccoons were blamed for the population decline. Respondents identified broadleaf forests as critical refuges and food sources for black crabs. Birds were the major predator, confirming findings for other land crab species. Land crabs were not merely a food resource but represented a complex nexus of ecological knowledge, economic systems, cultural traditions, and community practices within Bahamian society. We demonstrated a substantial overlap between traditional and scientific knowledge systems, providing valuable insights into land crab behaviour, habitat use, and ecology that complements formal scientific research.