The BLUECRAB project organized an international conference in Koper focused on establishing an international observatory for monitoring and managing the blue crab in the Northern Adriatic. As part of the event, a study visit was held for project and associated partners as well as the interested public. The project was also presented to the broader public through a promotional culinary event at the Saturday city market.
On Thursday, 29 May 2025, a conference took place at the Praetorian Palace in Koper to discuss the impacts of the invasive blue crab species (Callinectes sapidus) and the establishment of a dedicated blue crab observatory for the Northern Adriatic region.
The conference presented project activities related to the implementation of pilot monitoring of the blue crab in the project area, as well as the significant negative impacts this species has on the ecosystem and economy of the Northern Adriatic. Although its presence was first detected in 2014, the first major outbreak occurred around 2021. Since then, the blue crab has caused extensive economic damage, estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros.
The urgent need to establish an international blue crab observatory—foreseen within the BLUECRAB project—was emphasized.
On Friday, 30 May 2025, a press conference for the BLUECRAB project was held at the Praetorian Palace, where project partners presented the progress of the project activities.
Later, as part of the study visit, they visited the Marine Biology Station Piran and the Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve.
On Saturday, 31 May 2025, within the framework of promotional activities at the Saturday market in Koper, project activities and the potential use of the blue crab in gastronomy were presented to the general public. The Municipality of Koper, in cooperation with local chefs, prepared a promotional brochure and offered tastings of blue crab-based dishes, which received a very positive response from citizens and market visitors.
Interpretation between Slovenian and Italian was provided throughout the event.
