health
Italy unleashes 'octopus army' to battle devastating crab invasion
WATCH: Italy suspends Schengen agreement with Spain amid Ceuta migrant crisis
TL;DR
- Italy released 130,000 infant common octopuses into the Adriatic Sea as part of the 'Octo-Blu' initiative to combat an invasion of blue crabs.
- The invasive blue crabs have caused an estimated £170 million in damage to Italy's fishing and aquaculture industries, devastating clam and mussel stocks.
- Researchers have created artificial underwater shelters to protect the vulnerable octopus hatchlings.
- Scientists believe adult octopuses can each devour up to four blue crabs per day, with a significant impact on the invasive population.
- Despite a high mortality rate for the hatchlings, researchers are continuing to breed and release more octopuses.
- Italy is also promoting the consumption of blue crabs as a gastronomic solution, but consumer demand has not significantly reduced their population.
- The blue crabs are believed to have entered the Mediterranean through ships' ballast water.