In the global world and ocean, invasions are nowadays a common reality. It is necessary to address this threat carefully and if possible, to transform it in an inclusive and sustainable opportunity. This is the case of the recent invasion of an Alien species for Europe, the Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus, in Algarve coast, South Portugal. It was identified by University of Algarve researchers in 2018 in the Guadiana estuary (border Portugal /Spain), between Odeleite and Alcoutim, one of the poorest regions in the European Union. Local fishers, that rely on threatened native fisheries, were the first to find this beautiful and tasty crab in their nets. Initially, they were surprised and suspicious of this non-native species and immediately delivered it to our research group in the University of Algarve (UAlg-CCMAR-ECOREACH). After the usual taxonomic confirmation and scientific analysis (Morais et al 2019, Vasconcelos et al. 2020, Encarnação et al 2021), we started to investigate the species in its native range, including the East coast of the US. In Maryland, there is a remarkable tradition of exploitation of this valuable fishing resource, so our research group at the University of Algarve (UAlg) started looking for collaborations in the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) – especially because this university has an international recognized research Centre in the field IMET with brilliant collaborations with the business sector, connecting biotechnology and aquaculture (soft shell crab) with this traditional fishery in Maryland. It stresses the need to upskill the workforce in all blue economy sectors as well as trainings from educational centers and universities, with a strong sustainable dimension, to activate the improved balance between socio-economic development and environmental protection. This should be further promoted to develop local businesses together with international research centers and companies within S2AQUA COLAB with an adequate guidance in investments, reforms and regulation to foster knowledge and solutions for the transition towards global sustainability based on blue growth and this was that aim that led to this proposal.