2.9 million from the government for blue crab fishermen, Legacoop:“Doing more is a national emergency”

Legacoop Romagna welcomes the government decree but immediately suggests corrective measures:"Refunds are too small and we need a national plan to stop the blue crab"

BOLOGNA – Legacoop Romagna calls for the declaration of a national state of emergency “for the uncontrolled proliferation of the blue crab.A necessary step to intervene in favor of businesses on mortgages, taxes and fees, but also for intensify capture efforts“.The occasion is the signing of the decree by Minister Francesco Lollobrigida which unlocks the situation 2.9 million euros in compensation for the fishermen who captured and disposed of this alien species.The cooperatives' opinion on the measure - expected for 3 months now, and on the further announced allocation of 10 million - is "positive, but not without critical issues".

READ ALSO: Blue Crab, the expert:“It's just the beginning, it lays eggs by the millions and targets fresh waters”
READ ALSO: The sacred ibis versus the blue crab?It's not such a great idea, that's why

“CLAMS PRODUCTION WILL BE HALVED IN THE NEXT YEARS”

According to the president of Legacoop Romagna, Paolo Lucchi, and the head of fishing, Mirco Bagnari, the blue crab emergency must be "tackled in a completely different way and with strategic and decisive interventions. The invasion of the blue crab puts the production of clams and mussels at risk for the next few years, with the related jobs“.Damage of the order of 50% of farm production is estimated.The surge in the price of clams, mussels and oysters could reach up to 60%.“Nothing is said in the decree - continue Lucchi and Bagnaridi how we intend to intervene to protect jobs in this sector, already without specific social safety nets", they add from Legacoop.

“A NATIONAL PLAN IS NEEDED FOR THE REDUCTION OF THE BLUE CRAB”

“They would also be useful a national plan for control, numerical reduction, not excluding the objective of eradicating the alien species on the national territory and specific projects to study the biology of the species to identify the best strategies with which the “biological fight” could make an important contribution, if not even be more effective."The technical table on the topic will be held at the ministry on Monday.

Legacoop Romagna represents approximately 380 associated companies in the provinces of Forlì-Cesena, Ravenna and Rimini, with a production value of over 6 billion euros, over 300 thousand members (including all types of members:workers, producers, consumers) and approximately 24 thousand workers.Federcoop Romagna is the national hub specializing in services to cooperatives which reports to Legacoop Romagna.Around a hundred professionals work within it in the accounting, tax, legal, labour, environmental and advanced consultancy fields.

“CONTRAST AND ADAPTATION INTERVENTIONS ARE NEEDED”

“We hope that Minister Lollobrigida will take up our appeal and that the appropriate corrections will be made to the decree.Our observations are intended to be a constructive contribution to ensuring that this measure is truly effective and useful for the companies and territories truly affected by this emergency", add the cooperative managers.The uncontrolled proliferation of the blue crab has been favored by lack of predators and come on sudden phenomena of climate change, which have made the seas more suitable for its survival and proliferation:“Further evidence that contrasts with what the so-called deniers claim.Requires contrast and adaptation interventions that can no longer be postponed on this front, to protect our local economy and our communities", conclude Lucchi and Bagnari.

THE CRITICAL ISSUES OF THE DECREE

The first critical element noted by Legacoop Romagna is the fact that the decree does not provide for geographical limits.It is the producers on the Emilia-Romagna coast who have suffered the most serious damage from this disaster and therefore deserve the most attention also in terms of resources allocated.The second question concerns the time limit of the decree, which only reimburses expenses incurred in the months of August, September and October 2023.Blue crab fishing itself had been authorized by the ministry's General Directorate of Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture since July 18.Third point of concern is the online platform for submitting applications, the same one already used for Covid contributions.Unfortunately, the platforms used for requests for refreshments linked to the latest emergencies (not least the flood one) have created significant problems and slowdowns, both in sending applications and in reimbursement procedures.Fourth question is the amount allocated.

“TOO FEW 1,000 EUROS PER COMPANY”

They will go to each of the 3,000 interested companies around a thousand euros of refreshments, a laughable sum compared to the damage and even more so, small if you consider that the Emilia-Romagna Region alone has approved a one million euro intervention in favor of aquaculturists and clam marketing companies.Finally, the decree admits as a contribution the costs incurred for the interventions implemented for capture and disposal, but does not refer to what may be accidental catches, which have been numerous in recent months, with heavy damage to the nets and equipment fishing.