Crab farming has surged in recent years across the salinity-prone coastal district of Satkhira, with many farmers shifting from shrimp farming to crabs due to the species’ resilience to climate conditions and high commercial value. However, the increased farming activity has led to a growing environmental problem, as discarded crab shells were often left to rot, causing pollution and odor issues. Aslam Hossain saw a solution where others saw waste and launched a venture that turns these shells into a commercially viable organic fertilizer.

Aslam’s innovation addresses two key issues: it reduces waste from crab farming while providing a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers. His business has been financially supported by the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and the World Bank under their Sustainable Enterprise Project (SEP), with additional local backing from the Nawabenki Ganamukhi Foundation (NGF).

The production process for Magiccompost is relatively straightforward. Crab shells are collected from local farms, dried, and ground into powder using a machine. These are then mixed with decomposing vegetables, collected from local markets and households, and left to decompose for up to two months. The final product is a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer, which is sun-dried, packaged, and sold at a profit. Magiccompost costs between $0.11-$0.13 to produce per kilogram, and is sold for $0.25 per kilogram.

Since its inception in 2021, the fertilizer has gained a growing customer base, with local shrimp farmers and vegetable growers using it to improve yields. Aslam’s enterprise has already caught the attention of 30 local shrimp farms and 20 commercial vegetable growers, who are utilizing the fertilizer to boost their production. The demand for Magiccompost is also rising among urban gardeners, many of whom place their orders through social media platforms like Facebook.

Crab farming in Satkhira has been on the rise due to the species’ climate resilience and lower susceptibility to diseases compared to shrimp. However, the increased production of crabs has also led to a rise in waste, with most crab shells previously discarded in rivers and landfills, leading to environmental degradation. By transforming this waste into a valuable fertilizer, Aslam is not only contributing to sustainable farming but also earning a monthly income of $250-$420.

Aslam Hossain’s long-term goal is to expand Magiccompost’s reach across the country, under his own brand name. He is currently in the process of obtaining approval from the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), which will allow him to market the fertilizer more widely. He also plans to scale up production, but requires additional infrastructure and investment to meet growing demand.

“Crab shell fertilizer has the potential to revolutionize sustainable farming in Bangladesh,” Aslam said. “With the right investment, we can expand production and provide farmers with an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers, while also tackling the waste problem in the crab farming industry.”

Aslam’s family has a long history in shrimp farming, with seven acres of land currently under shrimp cultivation. However, his success with Magiccompost has prompted him to focus more on sustainable solutions for agriculture.

The initiative stands as a prime example of how innovative thinking can turn environmental challenges into profitable and sustainable ventures. It is a story that not only benefits the local economy but also contributes to the global movement towards sustainable farming and waste management.

In a region grappling with the dual pressures of climate change and environmental degradation, Aslam Hossain’s Magiccompost is proving that solutions can be found by looking at challenges from a new perspective. With support from local organizations and potential investors, the future looks promising for this sustainable initiative.

The post Turning crab shell waste into organic fertilizer: a sustainable solution from Satkhira appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

The blue blood of the Horseshoe crab is precious to the pharmaceutical and microbiological industries, which astounds zoologists. Owing to its therapeutic qualities, it has a high demand on the global market.

A gallon of Horseshoe crab’s blue blood costs sixty thousand US dollars. In addition to blue blood, it is used to make soup, which is highly beneficial due to its high level of beneficial properties. The upper hard shell yields a material known as “chitosin,” which is utilized for manufacturing a variety of goods.

The hatchery was established on a 40-acre oceanfront part of the land in the Rejukhal estuary by scientists from the Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (Bori). The area is bordered by bamboo. 119 Horseshoe crabs total—71 male and 48 female—were first released by the hatchery after being collected from the shore.

Since August 2021, scientists from the Institute of Marine Research have been conducting research on Horseshoe crabs. Scientists believe that Horseshoe crab blue will make a big contribution to the economy.

“The research that Bori is doing on Horseshoe crabs is quite encouraging,” said the director general of the institute, Professor Dr Touhida Rasheed at Cox’s Bazar.

“The Horseshoe crab is going to have a significant economic impact. A hatchery has been built for this reason on the beach next to Bori in order to advance the scientific endeavors,” She added.

The former principal of India’s KN College of Basic Science, biological oceanographer, and Horseshoe crab expert, Dr. Govind Chand Biswal is under the technical supervision of this research program of Horseshoe crab. 

He said, “The hatchery is a good place to start research on horseshoe crab. The behaviors of the Horseshoe crab will be recognized through the research.”

Govind Chand Biswal said, “There are two types of Horseshoe crabs in Bangladesh. Among these, there is a large stock of ‘Carcinocarpius rotondocda‘ in the mangrove region of Maheshkhali. Thousands of Horseshoe crabs come here to lay their eggs every year during the breeding season. After that, the molecule hatches from that egg and goes to the sea after being nurtured in the natural environment.”

Tariqul Islam, Senior Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Marine Research Institute (BORI) said, “Horseshoe crabs are found mostly on sandy beaches. This hatchery is also conveniently located. 71 male and 48 female Horseshoe crabs collected from the sea coast have been released in this hatchery.”

However, experts are concerned since the number of Horseshoe crabs has been dropping annually.

Even just a few years ago, flocks of Horseshoe crab could be seen in tidal areas of various coastal areas including Cox’s Bazar. But the animal has disappeared from the vast coast.

It is alleged that a powerful syndicate has caught and smuggled Horseshoe crabs from various coastal areas of Bangladesh to various countries including Thailand. As a result, the animal is gradually disappearing.

However, even though the animal has disappeared from a wide area, Horseshoe crab is still struggling to survive in the mud-sandy areas surrounded by mangrove vegetation and various islands of Cox’s Bazar district. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the animal is on the red list in Bangladesh.

Therefore, prompt actions to preserve this species are required along with research on its economic potential.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

The post Road to blue economy: Horseshoe crab hatchery set up in Cox’s Bazar appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

In the broader Chattogram region, including Cox’s Bazar, the Mangrove Horseshoe crab (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda) is commonly referred to as the “Raj kakra”. Although the species is commonly referred to as a crab, experts believe it is connected to an extinct type of sea scorpion.

Although numerous crab species are cultivated in artificial environments, the Horseshoe crab has yet to be farmed. But recently researchers from Kepley BioSystems, in North Carolina, claim to have created “the proper nutrition, an ideal environment, and the appropriate conditions” for growing wild-caught Horseshoe crabs.

“The Horseshoe crab proved to be an excellent option for growing, and it is now a farm animal that we have progressively learned how to handle. We now know a lot about how long it needs for crabs to survive in captivity: eating, growing, and being friendly to one another. We are also in the midst of identifying the best feed,” said the researchers.

Kepley scientists have been in charge of two independent horseshoe crab trials. One has concentrated on designing meals to promote the immunological health and ongoing support of the arthropods, while the other is investigating the most practical aquaculture system to culture these crabs.

However, for Bangladesh, the farming of horseshoe crabs seems very unrealistic. But with proper conservation techniques, this crab population can be regenerated.

“They are currently becoming extinct off the coast of Bangladesh. Unfortunately, Bangladesh does not have a sophisticated laboratory to maintain such crabs,” said Dr Manjurul Kibria. He also emphasized that the government must take the necessary precautions to conserve this crab.

The disappearance of horseshoe crab from Bangladesh can be attributed to 3 main reasons.

The first one is the negligence and lack of awareness of the fishermen. Every year, millions of horseshoe crabs die in Bihindi nets in the Nazirartek estuary, Maheshkhali channel, and Bankkhali river. This crab is frequently captured in coastal fishing nets and used as a lure for eel and conch shell fishing. This precious animal is also being killed in other areas of the country.

The second reason is the increased anthropogenic activity in the coastal area of Bangladesh. As urbanization and industrialization intensify, they degrade the water, and sediment quality thus affecting the habitat of the horseshoe crab.

The third reason is the most crucial, which is the illegal smuggling of the horseshoe crab.

Because the Horseshoe crab has great economic importance. These animals’ blood and organs are quite expensive on the global market because of amazing beneficial compounds. For this reason, Horseshoe crab crabs are a top target for smugglers due to the high cost of their blood.

The milky-blue blood of the horseshoe crab contains a coagulation agent called Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL), which identifies endotoxin in pharmaceutical samples. Even tiny amounts of endotoxin in injections or injectable medications can have harmful effects. This invaluable asset (LAL) is derived from the blue blood of the horseshoe crab and is employed to test vaccines, medicines, and medical devices for bacterial contamination. One litter of Horseshoe crab blood’s current market price is about $16000, evidently shows the value of it for the research labs.

A powerful international smuggling organization has been active in smuggling horseshoe crabs from Bangladesh’s coastal regions to multiple countries, including Thailand. There are certified and experienced technicians among the gangs. In addition to other goods, they reportedly smuggled horseshoe crabs and their blue blood via maritime routes.
According to a source at the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, a few fish factories officials had been associated with the crime.

Blood is extracted from horseshoe crabs captured in the Bay of Bengal via a sophisticated technique in laboratories once they have been transported to shore. After that by speedboat or trawler, the blue blood is shipped to fishing vessels. As well as the legs of horseshoe crabs, these are loaded onto cargo ships destined for Thailand from fishing trawlers.

In addition to maritime routes, the blood is also transported alongside fish and other goods.

According to a source from the fisheries institute, the government lacks the required technical knowledge to detect blood smuggling.

Sadly, the population of horseshoe crabs is decreasing rapidly, and swarms of them are no longer found in the estuary, rivers, and canals on Bangladesh’s various shorelines. Although Bangladesh hasn’t even begun extracting the blue blood yet, this species has already become endangered.

Therefore, if proper steps are not taken promptly then it is plausible that the Horseshoe crab will be extinct from the country very soon.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

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