An Unexpected Guest in the Port: The Blue Crab Arrives in Torre del Greco?

A discovery in the waters of Torre del Greco has recently drawn attention to the local marine fauna, introducing "perhaps" a new protagonist: the Blue Crab ( Callinectes sapidus ). It is not a local species, but a crustacean native to the Atlantic coasts of the American continent.

About two weeks ago, an adult male Blue Crab was found inside a fishing gear in the city's port. The specimen, weighing 169 grams, is now preserved in the laboratories of AN Technology, which carried out the morphometric measurements.

This event raises questions about the possible presence of this alien species in the waters off Torre del Greco, a phenomenon already observed in other areas.

Who is the Blue Crab?

To understand the implications of the discovery, it is useful to know more about this crustacean. The Blue Crab, whose technical name is Callinectes sapidus , is a species alien to the Mediterranean Sea. Its natural habitat is the Atlantic coasts of the American continent, with a distribution area that extends from Nova Scotia to Argentina. It is a very versatile species, capable of living in a wide range of temperatures, between 3 and 35 degrees, and of being at ease both in the fresh water of rivers and in the brackish water of marshes. Its diet is omnivorous, which means that it feeds on everything it finds, including clams, mussels, other crustaceans and fish, especially fry, that is, newly born fish. In addition to these characteristics, it has a notable reproductive capacity: females, in fact, can lay up to 2 million eggs a year, favoring its rapid diffusion.

Foto del Granchio blu ritrovato

What Does This Finding Entail?

The presence of the Blue Crab in Italian waters is an example of how the introduction of non-native species, often linked to human activities, can influence marine ecosystems. Its voracity and reproductive capacity make it a potential competitor for local species, with possible consequences for the ecological balance and fishing activities.

However, it is still too early to draw definitive conclusions. As the initial analysis highlights, the discovery could concern a single and isolated specimen, or be a first indicator of a possible future colonization.

At the moment, the main question – how this crab got to Torre del Greco – remains without a certain answer. For this reason, the suggested next step is to further study and monitor the waters to gather more information. Only through a more detailed analysis will it be possible to determine whether there is a concrete risk and define the best strategies to manage the situation.