Italy Fights 'Dangerous' Marine Creature by Turning It into a Delicious Dish

Fishermen, lobby groups, and environmental advocates have sounded the alarm, warning of an unprecedented summer increase in crab numbers. Crabs consume vast quantities of eels, shellfish, and mussels, wreaking havoc on fishing nets. Italy is the largest producer of shellfish in Europe and the third largest producer in the world, following China and South Korea, according to 2021 statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. However, crabs have put Italian seafood producers in crisis. The fishing industry organization "Federagricola" estimates that over 50 percent of shellfish production in Italy this year has been affected. The Italian government has allocated 2.9 million euros (3.1 million dollars) to combat the devastating invasion, but the issue now extends to other types of fish farms in various parts of Italy. Nevertheless, crabs are here to stay, prompting lobby groups and fishing associations to support a series of events planned for this summer in an effort to introduce a staple American summer ingredient into Italian dishes, featuring grilled crabs and linguine with crab in spicy tomato sauce.