Italy unleashes 130,000 octopuses against crab invasion

Key Points:

• Italy is combating an invasive blue crab population in the Po Delta lagoon by releasing 130,000 octopuses, which are natural predators of the crabs and can consume up to four crabs daily once mature.
• The blue crabs have devastated 70% of clam production in the region, causing an estimated economic loss of €200 million ($233 million) and severely impacting local fishermen's livelihoods.
• The "Octo-Blu" project, led by Bologna University and Emilia-Romagna's regional government, aims to control the crab population through octopus predation, as each crab female can produce up to two million eggs.
• Efforts are also underway to encourage Italians to eat blue crab, with the species appearing in supermarkets and on restaurant menus, although this has yet to significantly reduce their numbers.
• Despite their bright blue color, the crabs are safe for consumption and are being incorporated into various dishes such as salads, risotto, and pasta.