Blue Crab
About this good practice
"Blue Crab" is an integrated control project targeting the Invasive Alien Species (IAS) C. sapidus, with the goal of conserving native biodiversity through the establishment of a food supply chain.
In the Basilicata region, the decline of small-scale artisanal coastal fishing is influenced by the blue crab, which also damages biodiversity and the Socio-Ecological System (SSE). In its countries of origin, the blue crab is commercially fished and considered a delicacy, leading to a significant reduction in its population.
In addition to the partners, professional fishermen from the coop, Nereide, restaurateurs, product processing companies, hotels, schools, starred chefs, and direct consumers were involved.
The activities carried out represented a first study on the contrast of the alien species C. sapidus along the Lucanian Ionian coast.
As part of the project, four main actions were carried out:
1) experimental control of C. sapidus;
2) preliminary evaluation of potential supply chains;
3) monitoring of aquatic biocoenosis;
4) dissemination and awareness aimed at administrations, citizens, fishermen, and restaurateurs.
The project involved an experimental approach to collect information on selective capture techniques and the spatio-temporal diffusion of the target species.
Through questionnaires, show cooking, and dissemination days, the potential of the supply chain and the communities' knowledge of the species and its negative effects on the ESS were assessed.
Resources needed
€159,507.29 funded, useful for investigating the presence of the Blue Crab on 2 river banks. 10 operators were involved in monitoring/supply chain/disclosure activities. To activate the supply chain, it is necessary to involve 20 people and extend the activities to 4 river mouths.
Evidence of success
A manual has been developed that details the procedure for constructing selective traps for C. sapidus fishing. Additionally, the Department of Health of the Region has defined guidelines for the health control of the species during its marketing. Furthermore, the areas of greatest abundance have been identified, along with the optimal time window for fishing the species in the project area. This information will help optimize the temporal planning of the food and pharmaceutical supply chain.
Potential for learning or transfer
The practice presents some strong points: continuous control of an invasive alien species, environmental benefits, generation of economic activities, valorization of a waste in the economy.
The actions can be extended to the entire Adriatic-Ionian macroregion through the involvement of large-scale retail trade and companies capable of transforming and making the product more attractive, implementing a common policy to mitigate the harmful effects of an already abundant invasive alien species, whose total eradication is a utopian goal that would require an unsustainable operational and economic effort.
Further information
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.