Speaker: Guillaume Marchessaux, marine ecologist, IRD MIO research fellow

The invasion of the American blue crab Callinectes sapidus represents one of the worst threats to coastal ecosystems in the Mediterranean. The American blue crab, native to the American Atlantic coast, is a highly voracious and adaptable invasive species. It threatens local biodiversity by predating on fish, molluscs and crustaceans. It also disrupts lagoon ecosystems and small-scale fishing activities.

Faced with this invasion, scientific research is mobilising to gain a better understanding of its biology, how it spreads and its ecological impact. Thanks to a formidable mobilisation of various academic and non-academic players, a real battle has been organised. The overall aim is to limit its proliferation while protecting local ecosystems and economies. This involves implementing control plans combining targeted fishing, trapping and population regulation. Another approach is to add value to blue crab - consumption, processing - to encourage its capture.

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