Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is a species which has appeared in the Montenegro few years ago. The species is transferred with ballast water from the Atlantic Ocean, and it is one of the most invasive species in the Adriatic Sea. The Introduction and spreading of this alien (non-indigenous) species is considered one of the main threats to biodiversity in Montenegro. Along the Montenegrin coast monitoring system will be launched in order to receive the necessary information of distribution of this species in Montenegro as well as the possibilities of it further spreading.

This research will provide as a detail information based on segmentation, abundance and the impact of the species on the local communites of native crustaceans. Good connection and cooperation with local fishermen has been created as to get to know the negative impact of this species on the ecosystem and biological diversity. In cooperation with fishermen we will conduct short interviews in order to obtain a clear picture of the currency existence of the blue crab in Montenegro. During the monitoring we will educate fishermen about the fact that species is eatable and that it doesn’t have a negative effect of the human health and about specialize tools and techniques for fishing this aggressive species which will enable them an easier catch.

The project will enable us to supply several pots specialized for hunting these crabs, they will be placed along the Montenegrin coast and will directly enable us to see the distribution and abundance of this species in different locations on period of 12 months. Marine and brackish water will be covered during fieldwork days. Pots will be placed in the ports of Kotor, Zelenika, Herceg Novi and Meljine, Budva, Bar and Ulcinj. On other field days, they will be located in the territory of Tivat Solila and local rivers (Sutorina, Morinj, Jaz, Gradiosnica, Port Milena and Ada Bojana.

The main purpose is to minimize the fishing pressure of the autochthons biodiversity and all the pressure which is concentrated on the exploitation of alien species. We will if possible, achieve a double benefit. First, we will try to create a commercial market for this crab in Montenegro, which enable to increase income of the fishermen, and afterwards the recover local autochthonous community will be enabled.