Padua, after the blue crab the alarm for the killer shrimp

After the blue crab, which infested the Northern Adriatic and brought the Polesine clam harvesting cooperatives to their knees, it is the turn of the “killer shrimp”. The alien species has been reported in the Padua area, in Albignasego.
Paolo Caratossidis, promoter of the first Blue Crab Network and president of Cultura & Cucina, an association that is studying the phenomenon from an economic, social and culinary perspective, filmed the close encounter with some specimens of the fearsome “Louisiana killer shrimp”. «The presence of these crustaceans in ditches and canals is unfortunately nothing new. But I didn’t think I’d see them wallowing placidly in an urban context. They are clearly visible and have the size of a generous span. They eat everything and are a time bomb for the ecosystem and native species”, explains Caratossidis. “They originate from the Americas where they are eaten – he continues – but I strongly advise against doing the same with these that live in drains and in the presence of pollution.” Procambarus Clarkii, the scientific name of the Louisiana crayfish, can exceed 12.5 centimeters in length. Imported into various countries for breeding purposes, due to its speed of growth and prolificacy, today it is considered the most widespread crayfish in the world. In Italy it was imported into Tuscany by a company in Massarosa, near Lake Massaciuccoli, for a commercialization attempt. Having escaped from the farms, it has spread throughout Italy: «We are starting to live with far-reaching phenomena that demonstrate epochal changes in our territory. We need to be vigilant and intervene as soon as possible”, concludes Caratossidis.