Italian fishers turn invasive blue crab disaster into export opportunity

For two years, fishermen in Italy’s Po River Delta burned most of the invasive Atlantic blue crabs that were wiping out prized Manila clams. With revenues of the Polesine Fishermen’s Cooperative Consortium plunging 75% to €15 million and membership halving, the group, led by president Paolo Mancin, redirected its effort toward exporting the unwanted crustaceans. This year every caught crab has been sold, primarily to Sri Lankan processor Taprobane Seafoods, and the cooperative now expects about €20 million in sales, most from crab.

Scientists link the crab surge to climate-related temperature rises and drought-induced salinity changes, and a 2024 government eradication scheme that burned roughly 2.3 million kg proved ineffective. University of Bologna released 150,000 juvenile octopuses as a biological control, but experts doubt predators can curb the crab’s prolific breeding. While high-end Venice restaurants still shy away, chef Stefania Marchesini of Yogi in Porto Tolle serves a full blue-crab menu, hoping to shift Italian tastes. The export venture and culinary experiments together aim to turn a damaging invasion into an economic lifeline.