Ubeji Prawn Conservation and Community Restoration Initiative
Project Goals
To restore the ecological health of the Ubeji River while promoting sustainable prawn conservation and improving local livelihoods.
The Mission
A community-led conservation initiative focused on restoring freshwater prawn habitats in the Ubeji Axis of the Warri River, Delta State, Nigeria, while promoting sustainable harvesting practices, ecological monitoring, and community-based aquaculture.
The project addresses increasing pollution, habitat degradation, biodiversity decline, and unsustainable exploitation affecting indigenous freshwater prawn populations and local livelihoods within riverine communities.
Location
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Preparing a map preview for Ubeji Prawn Conservation and Community Restoration Initiative.
The Challenge
The Ubeji River in Nigeria is experiencing severe water pollution and a 35.9% decline in prawn populations (2023) leading to biodiversity loss and ecological imbalance.
Declining prawn populations and ecosystem health in the Ubeji community due to habitat loss and unsustainable practices.
Core Interventions
Environmental Monitoring
Biweekly monitoring of water quality, sediment, and macroinvertebrates to assess ecosystem health, identify pollution pressures, and guide restoration actions.
Community Engagement and Training
Community awareness and youth training programs focused on water quality, biomonitoring, conservation education, and sustainable prawn farming practices. The project’s ocean literacy and environmental awareness training program received recognition through the UNESCO Blue Thread Ocean Literacy Award.
Restoration and Sustainable Aquaculture
Introduction of indigenous freshwater prawn broodstock into managed river cage systems to support conservation, reduce pressure on wild populations, and promote sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Measurable Impact
• 24+ ecological monitoring exercises conducted annually
• 103 youth and community members engaged through awareness and training activities
• Community participation in conservation and restoration efforts
• Promotion and development of two (2) indigenous species conservation and sustainable aquaculture practices
• Strengthened environmental awareness and ecosystem stewardship within Ubeji communities
• Reinvestment of approximately 50% of project proceeds into community development and environmental sustainability initiatives
Community and Environmental Benefits
• Supports freshwater biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration
• Encourages sustainable harvesting and reduced pressure on wild prawn populations
• Builds local capacity in conservation and aquaculture
• Creates community-based income opportunities through sustainable prawn production
• Promotes long-term environmental stewardship and resilience within vulnerable riverine communities
Partnership & Collaboration
Unesco intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
Project Gallery
Visual snapshots of our work in the field and implementation details.
Harvested Prawns
Collection of macro invertebrates for laboratory analysis
inspection of Prawn broodstock after harvest
Fieldwork in action: testing river conditions.