10 Million Euros Allocated for Two-Year Plan Against Blue Crab

Rome: Six measures worth 10 million euros to be implemented over the next two years against the alien clam-eating blue crab were announced Wednesday by Enrico Caterino, the special commissioner for the emergency created by the arrival of the species in the Po River delta. The plan aims to address the significant impact the invasive species has had on the clam-farming industries of Veneto and Emilia-Romagna.

According to Ansa News Agency, the plan was presented at the agriculture ministry by Caterino, who was appointed special national commissioner on September 20 last year and whose mandate ends on December 31, 2026. The plan focuses on the protection of biodiversity in marine ecosystems affected by the blue crab invasion, which has been exacerbated by climate change and above-average temperatures in the Mediterranean region.

The initiative includes capturing and disposing of an estimated 2,600 tonnes of blue crabs in the Upper Adriatic, particularly in Veneto and Emilia-Romagna. It also encompasses projects aimed at containing the invasion and investments to support the economic activities impacted by the species, which originates from the western Atlantic.

The plan, which was also outlined by the ministers of agriculture and the environment, Francesco Lollobrigida and Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, is expected to commence after its approval in the spring. This timing is strategic, as it aligns with the period when blue crabs begin proliferating, primarily in the Po River delta and the Upper Adriatic.

Caterino mentioned that the initiative could potentially expand in the future to include other areas affected by the invasion, such as Sardinia, Puglia, and Tuscany, signaling a comprehensive approach to tackling the blue crab issue across multiple regions.