…Invasive redclaw crayfish believed originated from a failed aquaculture project in Eswatini decades ago
BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – The Eswatini Government is working with Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to combat the spread of invasive redclaw crayfish, an alien species blamed for damaging freshwater ecosystems, destroying fishing equipment and threatening the livelihoods of thousands of small-scale fishers across the region.
The species, which experts believe originated from a failed aquaculture project in Eswatini several decades ago, has spread through interconnected river systems into neighbouring countries, where it has become one of the region’s most challenging invasive freshwater species.
As the ecological and economic damage continues to mount, governments, researchers and conservation organisations are intensifying efforts to develop a coordinated regional response to curb the crayfish’s expansion while exploring ways to turn the environmental threat into an economic opportunity.
Crayfish shred fishing nets, consume fish eggs and compete aggressively for food, habitat
The invasive crayfish has become notorious for shredding fishing nets, consuming fish eggs and competing aggressively with native aquatic species for food and habitat. Its rapid reproduction and ability to thrive in a wide range of freshwater environments have made it particularly difficult to control.
For many communities that rely on inland fisheries for food security and income, the consequences have been severe. Across southern Africa’s river systems, fishers continue to haul in torn nets instead of profitable catches, increasing their operating costs while reducing already fragile household incomes.
Experts say the cross-border nature of the invasion means no single country can solve the problem alone, making regional cooperation through SADC essential.
Eswatini participating in regional initiatives
Eswatini is therefore participating in regional initiatives aimed at strengthening surveillance, sharing scientific research and developing practical management strategies to reduce the crayfish population and minimise its impact on biodiversity and local economies.
One of the solutions gaining support among conservationists is the commercial harvesting of the invasive crayfish for human consumption.
Conservation specialist Burnett believes encouraging people to eat the crayfish represents a practical and necessary response to the ecological crisis.
“Eating the crayfish is a necessary, pragmatic response to the devastation,” Burnett said.
Creating a commercial market for crayfish
According to Burnett, creating a commercial market for the crayfish could provide two important benefits simultaneously by reducing invasive populations while creating new income streams for fishing communities whose traditional livelihoods have been disrupted.
However, he acknowledged that implementing such a strategy would not be straightforward.
Rolling out commercial harvesting programmes would require overcoming significant logistical challenges, particularly for small-scale fishers operating in remote areas. The biggest obstacles include the lack of cold storage facilities and refrigerated transport needed to safely preserve and deliver the highly perishable catch to potential buyers, including nearby eco-lodges, restaurants and other tourism establishments.
Without proper cold-chain infrastructure, fishers would struggle to access reliable markets, limiting the economic viability of harvesting the crayfish on a commercial scale.
“But we have to start somewhere,” Burnett said, stressing that building local markets and investing in the necessary infrastructure would be an important first step towards transforming the invasive species from an environmental burden into a valuable resource.
Public awareness campaigns and stronger cooperation between countries
Environmental experts say commercial utilisation alone will not eliminate the crayfish, but it could become an important component of a broader integrated management strategy that includes continuous monitoring, public awareness campaigns and stronger cooperation between countries sharing river systems.
Despite these efforts, the situation on the ground remains challenging.
Across southern Africa, fishing nets continue to emerge from rivers shredded by the aggressive crustaceans, while indigenous fish populations face increasing pressure from the invasive species. The resulting losses continue to undermine the livelihoods of families that have depended on freshwater fisheries for generations.
Scientists warn that unless coordinated interventions are sustained, the crayfish could continue expanding into new waterways, placing additional pressure on already vulnerable freshwater ecosystems.
Southern African environmental challenge
Eswatini’s participation in regional efforts reflects growing recognition that invasive species do not recognise political boundaries. As one of the countries linked to the crayfish’s early introduction into the region, the Kingdom is now contributing to collective efforts to address a problem that has evolved into a shared Southern African environmental challenge.
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