On Aitutaki in the Cook Islands, the tupa crab is a crucial species for residents' diets, livelihoods and culture. But with continued development on the island plus the impacts of sea level rise, beach erosion and recurrent cyclones, could the crab become endangered?
Journalists at Cook Islands Television explored the cultural significance of this unique species and the traditional conservation methods that could protect it.
Watch the piece:
This story was produced with the support of the Earth Journalism Network and was originally published by Cook Islands Television on December 15, 2022. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Banner image: Windblown trees on the coast of Aitutaki, Cook Islands / Credit: Bill Fairs via Unsplash.
Sean Isamaela
