Anti-blue crab sound waves: when will fishermen be able to use them?

Ferrara, August 17, 2025 – Diver Roberto Passarella dove into that body of water. "Everything's fine," he said, waving a thumbs up toward Giacomo Perazzolo, a technician, and Virginio Mantovan , 63, a businessman and clam farm owner. That body of water, a few kilometers from Goro and Comacchio, is a faint thread of hope for fishermen from two regions, Emilia Romagna and Veneto.

At the center sound barriers against the alien, the blue crab

We are In Porto Levante, a national trial of acoustic deterrents against blue crabs is being conducted there. The task force includes Mantovan, which made the area available, ISPRA, and the University of Padua.

200 quintals per day. Avalanche of blue crabs.

The experiment is one of the items in the comprehensive plan by Special Commissioner Enrico Caterino to combat the blue crab, involving the government, regions, municipalities, and fishing associations. And those conducting research.

The acoustic deterrent project was presented during a conference held at the Ferrara Prefecture. The commissioner, Prefect Massimo Marchesiello, and the mayor of Goro, Marika Bugnoli , were present.

The results are not yet in, it is not clear whether those 'voices', those 'noises' in the water will be able to drive the alien away.

“We’ve been experimenting with sound deterrents for a year,” explains Virginio Mantovan , former deputy mayor of Porto Viro. “We need to understand their effects on the blue crab and how effective the sound barrier is.

Blue crab: do sonic deterrents work? Test results.

How sound barriers against blue crabs work

How does it work? We use three frequencies , sound waves that travel through the sea. Different frequencies to avoid the risk of the crab becoming accustomed to the disturbance, as happens, for example, in the countryside when they use sound guns to scare away geese.

They get used to the roar, take flight, and then they're back there, ruining the crops. I'd like to point out that this is a patented system, but precisely because the testing is ongoing, none of these devices have been given to fishermen so far.

Fishing ban, fresh fish ban across the Adriatic: until when?

We need the green light from the research institutions that are working with us on the project, ISPRA and the University of Padua." The system is connected to solar panels placed on the surface of the water, so it is autonomous. This way it works continuously. A bombardment of sound waves against the crab, hoping it is not hard of hearing.

How much do blue crab sound barriers cost?

Vadis Paesanti is the vice president of Confcooperative Fedagripesca Emilia Romagna . He's the one warning the fishermen themselves.

We need to await the results of the official trial, which is being conducted under the direction of the commissioner. Only when the outcome is positive, if that is the case, can we proceed with this tool. The acoustic deterrent should also be compared to nets and fences; it must be fully functional. At that point, it will also be possible to implement a process that will lead to compensation for those who purchased it, and assistance with their investment.

This is no small investment. Some fishing cooperatives and fishermen have turned to the market, where everything is available, even deterrents. They have been purchased for prices ranging from €2,000 to €7,000, depending on the model.