Nature Trust – FEE Malta (NTM) said that it is embarking on another challenging project – studying the breeding behaviour of the freshwater Crab on the Maltese Islands.

The project will also assess the natural habitats of these crabs to identify treats and problems these habitats may be facing that may cause the disappearance of the animal.

With the help of Environment Authorities, NTM said it will also try to mitigate these problems and address issues for the improvement of these freshwater habitats that are rare but important in the Maltese Islands.

In fact, two primary important habitats are found – one in Gozo and one in Malta.

This three-year project aims at improving the population of the species and its habitat.

The Maltese freshwater crab (Maltese: il-qabru; il-granc tal-ilma helu) is the National Invertebrate in Malta, declared as such in 2018 through the Species Protection (Designation of National Species) Regulations (SL 549.120).

The species is protected in Malta since 1993 and various locations where it is found are also protected. It also has interesting cultural implications and has also featured in stamps and the old Maltese 5c coin.

Living to a maximum of 12 years, the species is known to dig burrows reaching 80cm in depth, with multiple openings so as to provide shelter against predators, drought and floods.

After obtaining the necessary approvals of permits from the Environment Resource Authority, Nature Trust has found the full support of HSBC Malta Foundation with a grant of €40,000 for the project.

Thanks to the funding support of HSBC, the habitat of the freshwater crab was created in a lab at the Aquaculture Centre in Marsaxlokk.

NTM said that a number of recently born crabs were placed in this lab habitat under 24 hours monitoring, to study and observe their behaviour and breeding. “This is being done in a scientific way, with the aim of having enough information to be able to breed this animal in case of any dangers of extinctions.”

This type of project falls in line with the halting of biodiversity loss policies of the EU, the UN and FEE International of which NTM is a partner.“It is the duty of Nature Trust to contribute to halting Biodiversity loss and habitat loss in our Islands. As an NGO, we have been working with the authorities to find best solutions to improve the situation where needed and also conserve our natural heritage for future generations to inherit,” said Nature Trust – FEE Malta Executive President Vincent Attard.

He added that “we want the public to understand the treasure that we have on our Island and also improve for the common good of the economy, society and the environment. A big thanks goes to HSBC for believing in this vision and also the Aquaculture Research Centre for their full support.”

Simon Vaughan Johnson, HSBC Malta CEO said, “HSBC Malta Foundation said, “we are proud to be renewing our Foundation’s support for Nature Trust Malta who are setting out to save the Maltese freshwater crab.”

Present for this launch were senior officials from the Aquaculture Centre – Fisheries Dept and ERA Ambjent.

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