Originally from the western Atlantic, the species has now proliferated in numerous lagoon-like areas within Italy, posing a threat to local shellfish, fish roe, and other aquatic organisms. A marine biologist has reported that these crabs have consumed up to 90% of young clams. The situation could potentially be linked to climate change.
Italy has announced plans to allocate €2.9 million (approximately £2.5 million) to address the invasion of aggressive crabs that pose a threat to the nation's status as one of the leading global producers of clams, potentially affecting a signature pasta dish.
The blue crab, originally native to the western Atlantic, has proliferated across multiple lagoon-like sites in Italy, endangering local shellfish, fish roe, and other aquatic species.
Clam aquafarms located in the delta of the Po river valley in northern Italy have been particularly devastated by this issue. A local marine biologist revealed to Reuters last week that these crabs had devoured as much as 90% of young clams, almost decimating future production.
Experts have expressed uncertainty about the rapid reproduction of these crabs, but there's a possibility of a connection to climate change.
Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy's Minister of Agriculture, paid a visit to the Po river delta on Saturday and announced that the government would approve emergency funding.
The €2.9 million will be allocated to fishing cooperatives and aquafarmers engaged in a large-scale fishing campaign to control the proliferation of blue crabs, as reported by Reuters.
Fishermen in the affected areas have been advised to capture as many blue crabs as possible in order to manage their population.
Possible Link Between Crab Invasion and Climate Change
In the past week, Emanuele Rossetti, representing the Fishermen's Cooperative of the Polesine in the Po delta valley, informed Reuters that around 12 tonnes of crab are being caught daily, yet the crab population shows little decline.
Sasa Raicevich, a marine aquatic resources expert from the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), explained that blue crabs are believed to have arrived in Italy through shipping bilge water.
He noted their initial detection about a decade ago, but the reason for their current rapid multiplication remains unclear, suggesting, "There could be a link to climate change, but we have no evidence to say it for sure."
He emphasized the seriousness of the situation in terms of ecological and economic repercussions, cautioning that complete eradication of the blue crabs is improbable. "We have to manage them and explore possibilities of coexistence... it's going to be challenging," he added.
Italy ranks as Europe's foremost clam producer and holds the third position worldwide, after China and South Korea, based on UN Food and Agriculture Organisation data from 2021.
This influx of crabs could jeopardize the traditional Italian dish - spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams).
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