Applying a regional certification scheme for aquatic invasive species fishery: The case of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) in the northern Adriatic Sea

Certification schemes are increasingly applied in fisheries and aquaculture to promote sustainability, traceability, and responsible sourcing. However, their application to the management and exploitation of edible aquatic invasive species (AIS) remains largely unexplored. This study represents the first attempt to assess how a regional certification framework, the Adriatic Responsible Fisheries Management (ARFM) scheme, can be adapted to a fishery targeting an AIS in the Mediterranean. We focus on the case of the Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), an invasive predator that has recently proliferated in the coastal lagoons of the northern Adriatic Sea, causing considerable ecological and economic damage, particularly to clam farming systems. To evaluate whether C. sapidus fishery aligns with ARFM certification criteria, we gathered knowledge through interviews with small-scale fishers who have developed and implemented innovative gears to control and commercially exploit the species. Our assessment found that, under current management, the C. sapidus fishery does not meet all ARFM certification requirements. Certification could only be achieved if an action plan is adopted addressing key challenges such as the absence of dedicated regulations, the need for harvest control rules, and the implementation of systematic data collection and monitoring. Our findings highlight both the opportunities and obstacles in integrating an edible AIS into responsible seafood markets, and illustrate how the ARFM scheme can guide necessary improvements towards sustainable and certified exploitation. This case study provides a valuable model for developing adaptive harvest strategies for edible AIS in the Mediterranean, where biological invasions are increasingly reshaping coastal fisheries.