No aliens allowed: A narrative analysis of the blue crab ( Callinectes sapidus ) in the Lagoon of Venice (Northern Adriatic, Italy)

This study critically analyses the main narratives surrounding the Atlantic blue crab ( Callinectes sapidus ) in the Lagoon of Venice. We used a mixed‐method approach, performing a qualitative discourse analysis on a sample of 68 textual sources to identify the narratives across two sectors in the management of the case study: media and politics, and scientific research. The texts were organized into a database of short sequences of words. Each sequence was assigned to a specific category and subcategory. The database was then quantitatively analysed using distribution and word count analyses. Four master narratives were identified and then discussed in the context of existing critical literature: ‘We have transformed the threat of blue crabs into an opportunity’; ‘We are at war against the blue crab’; ‘Consumption is a solution’; ‘The blue crab is a product’. The study revealed three pivotal findings: in the media and politics discourse, the militarization of language is still prevalent; the scientific debate stresses the importance of efficient exploitation and marketing as the main solution to manage the blue crab; both scientific and public debate use specific words and rhetorical tactics to transform blue crabs into commodities. We finally provide four recommendations for relevant professionals in the field of invasive alien species management. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.