2 months ago
SCARDOVARI, Italy (AP) — Italian fishermen for two years incinerated most of the invasive Atlantic blue crabs caught in the Po River Delta south of Venice. Few Italians had an appetite for the alien predator blamed for decimating their prized Manila clams.
While experiments in containment continue, including the release of tens of thousands of octopus predators, the industry's response has been shifting to find new markets for the crustaceans. The strategy is already salvaging the livelihood of some fishermen and, some hope, may even rehabilitate the much-maligned crab's image in Italy.
Like other members of his local cooperative, second-generation fisherman Federico Zago saw his income crash after the crab invasion. The Polesine Fishermen's Cooperative Consortium's revenues fell 75% to 15 million euros ($17 million) in 2024 and 2025; the cooperative's active members also shrank from 1,500 to 850.
"We needed to change strategy, and create an opportunity from this disaster," said Paolo Mancin, the cooperative's president.
Desperate, they pivoted to exporting the unwanted crabs, with the aim of preserving the Manila clams — invasive themselves — and mussels that created decades of prosperity in the shallow lagoons of Veneto and Emilia Romagna.
#manila #million
While experiments in containment continue, including the release of tens of thousands of octopus predators, the industry's response has been shifting to find new markets for the crustaceans. The strategy is already salvaging the livelihood of some fishermen and, some hope, may even rehabilitate the much-maligned crab's image in Italy.
Like other members of his local cooperative, second-generation fisherman Federico Zago saw his income crash after the crab invasion. The Polesine Fishermen's Cooperative Consortium's revenues fell 75% to 15 million euros ($17 million) in 2024 and 2025; the cooperative's active members also shrank from 1,500 to 850.
"We needed to change strategy, and create an opportunity from this disaster," said Paolo Mancin, the cooperative's president.
Desperate, they pivoted to exporting the unwanted crabs, with the aim of preserving the Manila clams — invasive themselves — and mussels that created decades of prosperity in the shallow lagoons of Veneto and Emilia Romagna.
#manila #million
3 months ago
When Matt Barr was drafted by the Minnesota Twins on June 14, 2025, he had 10 days off before signing.
He spent that time working out at SUNY Niagara throwing to his best friend and former Thunderwolves teammate Dalton Harper and with coach Matt Clingersmith before heading to Minnesota's rookie level team in Fort Myers, Florida.
Once he was signed, it took a while for him to play in his first professional game thanks to the Florida Complex League season ending shortly after the draft and then a stress fracture in his right arm suffered during spring training, delaying his debut until May 25.
It was a one inning performance where he gave up one run against the FCL Pirates. Since then he has worked hard to pitch well and now has been called up to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, the Twins low-A level team.
Through two starts with the Mighty Mussels, Barr has a 6.75 ERA with seven strikeouts and three walks. After a shaky first start at the A-level in which he gave up five runs in 2 and 2/3 innings, Barr responded by going four innings of shutout baseball while giving up three hits and striking out five hitters Friday.
#twins #mussels
He spent that time working out at SUNY Niagara throwing to his best friend and former Thunderwolves teammate Dalton Harper and with coach Matt Clingersmith before heading to Minnesota's rookie level team in Fort Myers, Florida.
Once he was signed, it took a while for him to play in his first professional game thanks to the Florida Complex League season ending shortly after the draft and then a stress fracture in his right arm suffered during spring training, delaying his debut until May 25.
It was a one inning performance where he gave up one run against the FCL Pirates. Since then he has worked hard to pitch well and now has been called up to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, the Twins low-A level team.
Through two starts with the Mighty Mussels, Barr has a 6.75 ERA with seven strikeouts and three walks. After a shaky first start at the A-level in which he gave up five runs in 2 and 2/3 innings, Barr responded by going four innings of shutout baseball while giving up three hits and striking out five hitters Friday.
#twins #mussels
