Erasmus+ RiskMan Project: Blue Crab Instead of a Pest, Fishing can be Profitable for Restaurateurs
Blue crab is a frequent specialty and delicacy of restaurants on the coasts of the western Atlantic, and here in the Adriatic it is an invasive pest that has reached a large number. This problem is pointed out by the units of the University of Montenegro - the Institute of Marine Biology and the Faculty of Science, which are currently implementing the international project RiskMan, the focus of which is foreign and invasive species in aquatic ecosystems.
Dr. Ana Pešić, from the Institute of Marine Biology, states that the blue crab in the area of its natural habitat is controlled by hunting, but that the practice of using it in food has not yet become common in our country.
"Using such species as a resource provides a double benefit, by directly reducing their number in our waters and by reducing pressure on native species that are often already in the overfishing stage." Thus, by simply choosing a dish, everyone can directly contribute to the preservation of our sea", Pešić explains.
The RiskMan project is financed by the European Union through the Erasmus + call, and includes the cooperation of the University with institutions from several countries, including the Balkan countries, Turkey and Italy. The focus of this project is on listing invasive species in aquatic ecosystems and strengthening the capacity of professional staff to solve this problem.
Dr. Pešić explains that ecology recognizes exotic and invasive species, i.e. non-native species, of which only invasive ones have an impact on the ecosystem to which they do not belong. "The problem of invasive species is becoming more significant from year to year, due to the influence of climate change, the high intensity of sea and river traffic, the trade in pets and other factors. Several invasive species of fish and crustaceans have been recorded in the Adriatic Sea. Some of the most famous are puffers (Tetraodontidae family ), marbles (species of the genus Siganus), blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) and trumpet fish (Fistularia commersonii). Foreign species arrive in the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas mainly from the Red Sea region, through the Suez Canal (Lecepsian migrants) or from the Atlantic Ocean, Dr. Pešić says. For the state of the ecosystem of our sea, she believes, like any other, it is of the greatest importance to reduce the impact of invasive species and prevent the process of population establishment, occupation of space and/or food resources by native species. "All current disturbances in the ecosystem can have a positive effect on the success of the invasion of a foreign species." A classic example of taking over resources is the previously mentioned marbles, which occupy a similar ecological niche as the domestic salpa (Sarpa salpa) and represent its direct competition," Dr. Pešić says. The vulnerability of the Adriatic ecosystem, she believes, has increased through decades of intensive exploitation of larger predatory fish species, but also of other organisms whose individuals have the potential to use certain invasive species in their diet. "Fish such as cormorants or smaller bottom-dwelling species of sharks could become natural predators of species such as blue crabs, however, their low number has a negative impact on the success of the aforementioned predation," Dr. Pešić says. Depending on the characteristics, he adds, some foreign species may even be useful from a certain point of view. "If you look at the socio-economic aspect of sea fishing, species such as marbles have no importance but cause harm by suppressing the salpa that is placed on the market. However, species such as the invasive white mullet (Epinephelus aeneus) are highly valued in the diet and their catch has a positive effect on the economic profit of fishermen," Dr. Pešić says.
ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR CITIZENS: REGISTRATION OF INVASIVE SPECIES
The RiskMan project also includes the development of an online questionnaire that can be used to report any catch or sighting of an unknown species. "The questionnaire is available on the website and page of the Institute of Marine Biology, as well as other partner institutions. This aims at the early discovery of foreign species that are not yet registered in our waters, but also at the recording of new findings of those that have already been. All interested citizens can fill out the questionnaire if they come across an invasive species in any way, and it is possible to add a photo of the individual through the questionnaire.