A view shows blue crabs that hit the shores of Porto Tolle, Italy, in this recent undated handout image received by Reuters. Fishermen's Cooperative Of Polesine/Handout via REUTERS/File photoROME, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Italy's government has earmarked 2.9 million euros ($3.2 million) to tackle the spread of a particularly aggressive crab species that is threatening the country's role as one of the world's top producers of clams. The "blue crab", originating from the western Atlantic, has spread across several lagoon-like locations in Italy, preying on local shellfish, fish roe and other aquatic life, to despair of the clams aquafarm industry. According to a draft seen by Reuters, the 2.9 million euros will be given to fishing cooperatives and aquafarmers who are trying to curb blue crab numbers with a large-scale fishing campaign. It is also home to "spaghetti alle vongole" (spaghetti with clams), a classic of Italian cuisine.

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Persons: Francesco Lollobrigida, Emanuele Rossetti, Alvise Armellini, Angelo Amante, Conor Humphries Organizations: Reuters . Fishermen's, REUTERS, Agriculture, Sunday, Reuters, Fishermen's Cooperative, Agriculture Organization, Thomson Locations: Porto Tolle, Italy, Handout, ROME, China, South Korea, Food