Aggressive species

Italy: Commissioner declares war on blue crab

The introduced blue crabs (a specimen in the picture) have spread rapidly, especially in the northern Adriatic.

(Bild: AFP/Gent Shukullaku)

Italy appointed a special commissioner on Tuesday to develop strategies against the spread of the blue crab in the Mediterranean. It is an aggressive species that attacks native mussels and threatens fisheries.

Originally from the western Atlantic, these crustaceans have spread mainly in the northern Adriatic, particularly in the area of the Po river delta.

"The blue crab has affected some economic activities. Above all, however, it threatens to damage the entire marine ecosystem," said Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida at a press conference at which he announced the appointment of Commissioner Enrico Caterino.

(Bild: APA/dpa/Stefan Sauer)

Particularly widespread in the northern Adriatic
Attempts to curb the population through large-scale fishing campaigns have so far had little success. Experts assume that the crustaceans have probably reached Italy via the bilge water of ships. Since last year, they have spread rapidly, particularly in the northern Adriatic.

What is bilge water?

A bilge - the word is borrowed from the English language and is a variant of "bulge" ("hull") - is the lowest space on a ship that lies directly above the ship's planks or above the keel. This is where the leakage water that has penetrated the ship's hull collects, known as bilge water.

Damage of 100 million euros caused so far
The Coldiretti agricultural association, which also represents the fishing industry, stated in a press release that the blue crab has caused damage of around 100 million euros so far and has destroyed mussel production in the northern Italian regions of Veneto and Emilia Romagna.

Last year, the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made around 2.9 million euros available to support fishing companies that have been damaged by blue crab.

Italy is Europe's largest producer of clams and the third largest in the world after China and South Korea, according to UN data from 2021. Our southern neighbor is also the home of "spaghetti alle vongole" (spaghetti with clams), a classic of Italian cuisine.