Octopuses released into Adriatic Sea to tackle invasive crabs
Atlantic blue crabs have moved into the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas, where they are a problem both for ecosystems and local economies, but octopuses might offer a solution
A pilot experiment in Italy's Adriatic Sea has released 150,000 baby common octopuses in a bid to control the invasive blue crab population. Researchers from the University of Bologna, led by Oliviero Mordenti and Antonio Casalini, identified octopuses as predators of the blue crab, which threatens native shellfish and the fishing industry.
The project, co-financed by the regional government, involved acclimatizing eight octopuses in tanks before releasing 150,000 lab-raised larvae into coastal waters off Cesenatico and Riccione. While the octopuses may consume up to four blue crabs daily, only 1% of the released larvae are expected to survive to adulthood. Scientists caution that the strategy needs further study, as blue crabs are prolific and their preferred habitats differ from those of octopuses.
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