The species is known as an invader on European Atlantic coasts since the beginning of the 20th century and has been confirmed in the Mediterranean Sea

Catalonia bets on blue crab intensive fishing in Ebro Delta

SPAIN
Saturday, September 22, 2018, 00:40 (GMT + 9)

The Government of Catalonia, through the Directorate General of Fisheries of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (DARP), will promote intensive professional capture of blue crab to ensure its trade through the fishing markets, in order to contain its expansion in the Ebro Delta.

On Thursday, General Director of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Sergi Tudela announced the creation of a Co-Management Committee for the blue crab fishery, as the main management tool for this species. The announcement was made as part of the presentation of the results of the first assessment of blue crab, a species recently established in the Ebro Delta area and of great interest for professional fishing.

"The idea of ​​its eradication is already ruled out because its speed of implementation and dispersion is enormous, so the only way to contain the population in acceptable margins is through intense commercial capture worldwide. In fact, Mercabarna imports blue crab from other parts of the world. Therefore, we work side by side with the sector to create the conditions that make it interesting for its catch," said Tudela.

The new Committee, which has the support of the sector, will be based on the development of the Decree on the model of governance of professional fishing in Catalonia and will involve all interested parties (fishermen, federations, scientists, environmental organizations and administration).

The first confirmed quotation of American blue crab in the Mediterranean dates from 1949, in the lagoon of Venice, although it is probable that it was present in this sea much earlier. During the following decades, the species colonized mainly the eastern basin of the Mediterranean, also penetrating the Black Sea. The first documented quotation for the Spanish Mediterranean coasts comes from Ebro Delta; specifically a female specimen captured in November 2012 and a male one in January 2013. (Photo: River Ebro Delta)

This body will have the creation of the "Management Plan for the blue Crab Fishery" as its first objective. At the same time, as foreseen in the mentioned Decree, it will incorporate the corresponding program for a socio-economic management of the activity. The scientific advice, indispensable for the decision making on the technical management measures to be applied, will count on specialists of the territory, and will have the advice of technicians of the Catalan Institute for the Investigation of the Governance of the Sea (ICATMAR).

Another of the structural measures highlighted by the CEO is a commitment to intensive professional catch to ensure commercialization through the official circuits of the fish markets. This marketing must be associated with an appreciation of the product and ensure its traceability to the final consumer.

These actions, however, should not exclude specific control actions on specific points that ensure the maintenance of the density of the blue crab populations at levels acceptable to the delta ecosystems, if the scientists so recommend.

The lines of action indicated have been taken based on the valuations of the scientific aspects exposed in the first evaluation of the blue crab, which was presented this Thursday in Tortosa.

The research work, "Diagnosis and current situation of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) in the Ebro Delta", was developed by the company Monverte Estudios Ambientales, located in the territory and deeply knowledgeable about the very specific and varied delta ecosystem characteristics. The document includes a detailed assessment of the current state of the population, its location and extent, the fishing methods, the commercialization and the destination of the catches, among others.

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