In the latest episode of VRT's (national public service broadcaster in Belgium) investigative program Factcheckers, viewers were taken on a journey into the world of invasive alien species and the financial burden they impose on society. The episode delved into the challenges posed by species such as the raccoon, muskrat and the Chinese mitten crab, raising the question: How much does it really cost to combat these invasive species?
The crab trap as an example
The Flemish Environment Agency (VMM) is actively involved in the prevention and management of invasive species, such as the Chinese mitten crab. Paul Van Loon, the 'inventor' of the crab trap explains in the episode how the innovative trap works to control the population of the Chinese mitten crab in Flemish rivers.
Interested to learn more about the hidden costs of invasive species and the ongoing efforts to combat them, check out the full expisode (in Dutch) of Factcheckers on VRT MAX.