Blue Crab, Former Prefect Enrico Caterino Will Be Extraordinary Commissioner

“The appointment of the Special Commissioner for the emergency caused by the blue crab Henry Catherineto whom we wish good work and with whom we are ready to collaborate immediately. An appointment that has been long awaited in Emilia-Romagna, by the fishing and aquaculture companies that are collapsing due to this emergency. We trust that the new commissioner will be able to have the extraordinary powers conferred by his mandate for the necessary fulfillments and that he will also have the resources available to compensate the affected companies in Emilia-Romagna, for the collection and disposal of the crustacean. With the hope that this will not generate changes in appointments and decision-making stalemates as is unfortunately happening for African swine fever”.

This is how the acting president, Irene Priolo, and the regional councillor for Agriculture, Alessio Mammi, comment on the appointment of the former Prefect of Rovigo and Ravenna, Henry Catherinemade official today during a press conference at Palazzo Chigi.

“The proliferation of the blue crab in this year and a half has jeopardized the marine ecosystem of various coastal areas of Emilia-Romagna and created enormous economic and social difficulties for the entire fishing and aquaculture sector – they add -. The Government has accustomed our Region to managing various emergencies through the figures of the Commissioners: in any case, we ask that the responsibilities of the national institutions do not fail, however called upon to do their part in this case on compensation, research and shared solutions for the challenge against the proliferation of the blue crab, a long battle that we intend to win”.

The Emilia Romagna Region has already made available to fishing and aquaculture companies affected by the blue crab 1 million euros in compensation in 2023 and 1 million euros in 2024 for collection and disposal.