Fusion of science and gastronomy: Invasive dinner directed by the Institute and Corto Maltese

The Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, together with experts from Italy and Croatia, participates in the BlueDiversity project (Shared BLUE knowledge and skills to sustain BIODIVERSITY in mariculture), which started in 2024 and is co-financed by the Interreg Italy Croatia 2021-2027 programme.
Its aim is to create applicable models for the transition to a sustainable blue economy in the Adriatic coastal area in order to preserve biodiversity and protect ecosystems.

One of the biggest threats to the biodiversity of the Adriatic are invasive species, including the blue crab (Latin Callinectes sapidus), which is present in the Natura 2000 ecological network area – the Neretva river delta. It is believed that the main cause of its appearance is ballast water from ships. The blue crab poses a threat as it has no natural predators and threatens native species.

With the Blue Diversity project, the Institute of Oceanography is trying to help reduce the number of blue crabs through various activities.
In order to promote the blue crab as a gastronomic delicacy, the Institute, in cooperation with the Corto Maltese restaurant in Split, organised an event called “Invasive Dinner”, where the meat of the blue crab caught in the Neretva Delta was prepared in various ways.

Greater consumption of the blue crab would help to open up new markets for the blue crab, which would lead to larger catches of this species, which could also have an impact on reducing the number of this invasive species and protecting biodiversity.