FishEBM Med Workshops on non-indigenous species stress the urgency of integrated management approaches
On January 23–24, 2025, the UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Center on Specially Protected Areas (SPA/RAC) organised, under the GEF funded FishEBM Med Project, two back-to-back workshops on Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) in Rome, Italy, with the support of the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE), the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forests (MASAF).
The first workshop focused on managing the spread of NIS across the Mediterranean, emphasizing biosecurity, early detection, innovative management solutions and targeted eradication strategies.
The second workshop specifically addressed the invasive blue crab species (Callinectes sapidus and Portunus segnis), discussing sustainable fishing practices, upcycling blue crab waste, and promoting blue crab consumption to balance ecological concerns with economic opportunities.
Key outcomes included recommendations for integrated approaches for sustainable NIS management and biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean.