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 against the crabs that have wreaked havoc on the
clam-farming industries of Veneto and Emilia-Romagna 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 for this year and the next provides for the protection
of biodiversity in marine ecosystems affected by the emergency,
which is due to climate change and above-average temperatures in
the Mediterranean; capturing and disposing of an estimated 2,600
tonnes of the species in the Upper Adriatic (Veneto and
Emilia-Romagna); projects to contain the invasion of blue crabs
and investments to support the economic activities affected by
the invading species, originally from the western Atlantic,
among others.
The plan, which was also outlined by the ministers of
agriculture and the environment, respectively Francesco
Lollobrigida and Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, should kick off after
its approval in the spring, when blue crabs will start
proliferating, mainly in the Po river delta and in the Upper
Adriatic.
It it could also include in the future other areas affected by
the invasion, such as Sardinia, Puglia and Tuscany, said
Caterino.
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