The blue crab Callinectes sapidus is one of the 23 marine alien species reported for the Albanian coast so far (Beqiraj et
al., 2012; Katsanevakis et al., 2011). The first scientific report on the presence of this species in the Albanian coast is in
2009, in Patoku Lagoon. The blue crab population in Patoku Lagoon had grown significantly by 2009 and the blue crab
had started to be traded. The data collected in that year showed that this species is assessed to be established in the
Patoku Lagoon (Beqiraj & Kashta, 2010). Special attention has been paid to the study of blue crab population in the
following years during 2010 - 2015. The aim of this study is to evaluate the development and population trend of blue
crab in the Patoku Lagoon referring to the data collected throughout years of study.
POPULATION TREND OF THE INVASIVE BLUE CRAB CALLINECTES SAPIDUS RATHBUN,1896 IN PATOKU LAGOON.
