Italian scientists released 130,000 baby octopuses to combat an invasive blue crab population in the Mediterranean Sea.
Italian scientists have released 130,000 common octopus paralarvae into the Adriatic Sea to combat the aggressive spread of invasive blue crabs. The project, named Octo-Blu, aims to bolster native populations to protect local biodiversity and the fishing industry, which has seen hundreds of fisheries close due to the crab invasion. Antonio Casalini, an aquaculture research technician at the University of Bologna, stated that the team is not introducing a new species but rather strengthening a native population. While a single adult octopus can consume four blue crabs daily, marine ecologist Gianluca Sarà noted that the high mortality rate of paralarvae means the impact may be negligible in the short term. However, the researchers intend to use this infusion to supplement existing populations and work alongside other management strategies to control the crab numbers. The project began in 2024 and includes the installation of artificial dens to provide shelter for the newly released cephalopods.