health
Italy is fighting an invasive species of crab with killer octopuses
The innovative method of pest control has seen tens of thousands of octopuses released into the sea to take on the blue crabs.
TL;DR
- Italy is releasing 130,000 baby common octopuses to combat an invasive blue crab population.
- The blue crabs have caused an estimated £170 million in damages to fishing nets and commercially valuable shellfish.
- The 'Octo-Blu' project hopes adult octopuses will eat up to four crabs per day.
- The octopuses have been released in the Emilia-Romagna region, with plans for wider deployment in the Mediterranean.
- The invasive crabs have destroyed 70% of clam production in some areas and have adapted to freshwater environments.
- Experts believe octopuses could have a huge impact, as one octopus eating a female crab prevents millions of potential eggs.
- The Italian government is also encouraging residents to eat blue crabs to help manage the population.