Young octopuses against blue crab: biological fight in the Mediterranean (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• The Octo-Blu project involves the controlled release of about half a million small octopuses (Octopus vulgaris) raised in the laboratory. - The project is promoted by the Emilia-Romagna Region in collaboration with the University of Bologna. - The goal is to contain the invasive species of blue crab that is devastating marine ecosystems and clam and mussel fisheries.

Key facts

• What: Biological control project against blue crab. - When: Second half of August. - Where: Water in front of Riccione and Cesenatico. - Who: Emilia-Romagna Region and University of Bologna. - Amount: About half a million small octopuses.

The blue crab of the species Callinectes sapidus is a large crustacean, capable of reaching 20 centimetres in width. It is easily recognizable by the characteristic bluish coloration of the legs and by the orange shades on the tips of the claws in the female specimens. The first reports in the Mediterranean date back to the 1950s. Today, the species is rapidly colonising the Mare Nostrum, taking advantage of the tropicalisation of the waters caused by climate change.

The situation in the Mediterranean

The blue crab is a ferocious predator that feeds on fish, shrimp and other marine invertebrates. Its presence is causing a drastic decline in marine biodiversity and threatening the sustainability of fisheries. According to experts, the blue crab could be

Operational details

Blue crab is a real ecological and economic scourge. Equipped with very powerful claws, it feeds on everything it can catch: bivalves such as clams, mussels and oysters, but also shrimps, small fish and juveniles. The species is present throughout the Mediterranean and is often spotted in sandy and muddy transitional environments where fresh and salt water meet, such as in the lagoons of the Po Delta.

According to a recent estimate, blue crab has already caused economic damage of over 100 million euros in the canton of Ticino alone. The species has also been identified in the waters of Lake Maggiore, where it has already begun to threaten the local clam and oyster population.

To combat blue crab, several biological control projects have been implemented. One of these involves the introduction of young octopuses, which feed on the blue crab and help reduce its population. This project was financed with an amount of 500,000 Swiss francs from the canton of Ticino.

According to a report by the Swiss Confederation, blue crab is present in more than 70% of Swiss coastal waters. This means that the species is very widespread and that the fight against it will be long and demanding.

To combat blue crab, a checklist of operational actions has been created that include:

• Monitoring of the blue crab population in Swiss coastal waters
• Introduction of young octopuses to control the population of

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Key points

The environmental crisis caused by the blue crab (Inachus phalangium) is a growing emergency that is putting the Mediterranean marine ecosystem at risk. To counter this threat, ambitious scientific research has been launched: the Octo-Blu project. Promoted by the Emilia-Romagna Region in collaboration with the University of Bologna, the project involves the controlled release of about half a million small octopuses (Octopus vulgaris) bred in the laboratory in the waters in front of Riccione and Cesenatico. The operation is scheduled for the second half of August.

The common octopus is in fact one of the main natural predators of the blue crab. Laboratory studies have shown that even small octopuses are able to neutralize much larger crabs. To facilitate the settlement of octopuses on the predominantly sandy bottoms of the Adriatic, local mussel farmers will place special artificial burrows.

The Octo-Blu project is an example of biological control against blue crab, which is becoming increasingly widespread in the Mediterranean. According to ISTAT data, the number of blue crabs has increased by 30% in the last 5 years, with a devastating impact on the marine ecosystem. In Switzerland, the problem is less serious, but the Confederation has nevertheless taken measures to prevent the spread of blue crab in lakes and inland waters.

The Octo-Blu project is funded with €1.2 million, which will be used to

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Source: rsi.ch