Strategic Workshop on the Blue Crab in the Venice Lagoon Official EU Green Week Partner Event
25/06/2025
On June 25th, the Department of Biology of the University of Padua, represented
by Prof. Cristiano De Pittà, and Eduforma srl jointly hosted in Chioggia (Venice) the
strategic workshop “Monitoring Actions for the Blue Crab in the Venice Lagoon”, officially
recognized as a Partner Event of the European Commission’s EU Green Week
2024.
Held in the prestigious setting of Palazzo Grassi, the high-level event was co-organized
to amplify the impact of the Interreg Italy–Croatia project “BlueDiversity”. The two
Venetian partners brought the specific perspective of the Venice Lagoon into the project,
launching a #EUGreenWeek initiative that brought together representatives from key
institutions such as:
- Veneto Regional Council;
- Veneto Region;
- Municipality of Chioggia;
- Veneto Agricoltura;
- ARPAV.
The event also facilitated dialogue among multiple universities and research centers
(University of Padua, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, University of Bologna, OGS Trieste),
while encouraging collaboration with the local fishing sector and users of ecosystem
services.
Addressing an Urgent Environmental Challenge
The workshop received wide interest both at the European and local levels. For the first
time, a strategic initiative was designed to connect projects and share knowledge on
a growing environmental issue: the spread of the Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus).
Experts presented detailed insights on:
- ecological impacts on the lagoon ecosystem;
- economic consequences;
- effects on traditional fishing activities;
Once considered a local issue, the presence of the blue crab is now described as a critical
ecological threat requiring coordinated action.
Toward Synergy and Cooperation
The event also served as a platform to strengthen cooperation among existing projects
and stakeholders. The promoters—University of Padua and Eduforma srl—envisioned
the workshop as a key opportunity to initiate collaboration between:
- Interreg Italy–Croatia “BlueDiversity”
- Interreg Italy–Slovenia “BLUECRAB”
- The Blue Crab Action Plan (Veneto Region and ARPAV)
By aligning efforts, the initiative aims to deliver a comprehensive analysis of the blue
crab’s role in the ecosystem, and its implications for sustainable development and
marine resource conservation.