The Council strengthens controls on the blue crab and expands the tools used to capture this invasive species.

The Council of Mallorca has approved a new resolution to intensify the control of the blue crab (Callinetas sapidusThe blue crab, an invasive species that has spread rapidly to various parts of the island since it was first detected in the Albufera lagoon in 2017, is now in use. The new regulations, promoted by the Department of the Environment, Rural Affairs, and Sports, will come into effect on January 1st and will remain in force until the 2nd. This new regulation eliminates territorial restrictions: from now on, the capture of the blue crab will be permitted in all island waters of Mallorca where river fishing is allowed, with the exception of protected natural areas. In these areas, fishing will only be permitted with specific authorization and in accordance with the regulations of each zone. Furthermore, the resolution expands the range of tools that can be used to capture the species. From now on, the use of rods, strips, landing nets, or pliers—with a maximum of two active tools per person—will be allowed to facilitate more efficient fishing adapted to each waterway. Until now, the restrictions significantly limited the ability of anglers to remove crabs. The Second Vice President of the Consell and Island Councillor for the Environment, Pedro Bestard, emphasized that this resolution "reinforces the institution's commitment to protecting the natural environment" and allows for "broader and more effective action against the proliferation of the blue crab." He stressed that the measure responds to "the need to make control more efficient against a highly adaptive and predatory species." Five years of monitoring and 15,000 specimens withdrawn

The blue crab control program, active since 2020, has recorded nearly 15,000 catches and more than 1,000 authorized fishermen across Mallorca. The initiative has been developed in collaboration with the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), which analyzed the data collected by the Hunting Service and published a scientific study. One of the conclusions is that regulated recreational fishing can be an effective tool to curb the species' spread. Bestard emphasized the importance of research in this process: "The collaboration with the UIB is essential for making informed decisions and advancing rigorous and effective environmental management." Since its arrival, the blue crab has spread to areas such as the Garganta, the Canyamel stream, Portocristo, and the Sant Jordi stream in Pollença, affecting local aquatic ecosystems and jeopardizing biodiversity.