The blue crab arrives on the plates of parliamentarians

While the deputies in the chamber discuss the bill decree, the blue crab is tasted in the Chamber restaurant

ROME - An alien on the plate, in Montecitorio.While the deputies in the chamber discuss the bill decree, the blue crab is tasted in the Chamber restaurant.Parliamentarians from all sides spoon up paccheri with garlic, lemon and blue crab, the "alien" species native to America that is invading the Mediterranean.

The initiative bears the signature of Francesco Battistoni, Forza Italia deputy, former undersecretary of Agriculture.“We want to propose a different approach to this alien species which has unfortunately become a problem for our fishing.”

Guests of honor will be five girls from Rimini who founded Mariscadoras, an all-female start-up founded in 2021 and creator of the 'Blueat - The sustainable fish shop' project, to promote the food and gastronomic use of invasive marine alien species, starting with the blue crab.Mariscadoras processes tons of shellfish every day and turns them into meatballs, mayonnaise, sauces, as well as exporting many to North America.Not only that, in addition to food use, Mariscadoras has developed a system to create compostable plastic from the crab carapace.

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Various offers to take advantage of a species that has spread widely in Italy, especially in the Po delta, creating problems for many fishermen.Blue crabs, in fact, cut fishing nets with their claws, feed on fry (small fish) and destroy shellfish farms such as mussels and clams.

After the presentation of the project, off to the tasting.White wine and a plate of paccheri.A white ragù, where the strong ingredient is blue crab.“Good”, is the comment of most.