Crayfish 1: Planning Your Survey with The Biological Recording Company

Learn about planning surveys for native and invasive crayfish with Dr Nicky Green.

The White-clawed Crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) is the only native species of crayfish in the UK. Unfortunately, it is now seriously threatened both nationally and globally, being listed as Endangered on the IUCN red list and protected under the CRoW Act 2000. It is threatened not only by habitat loss and declining water quality but also by the American Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) due to competition and the transmission of a deadly disease, crayfish plague. Signal crayfish also cause major adverse effects on other invertebrates, fish and plant communities as well as riverbank erosion and sedimentation.

This presentation will cover the basics that any crayfish surveyor should consider before undertaking crayfish surveys. We will discuss the various considerations that are essential before travelling to the site to undertake the survey. This includes:

• Objectives, target species
• Timing
• Legislation, licencing and access permissions
• Budget, equipment & staffing
• Survey site: type, habitats and accessibility
• Suitable survey methods
• Biosecurity, risk assessments, safety considerations and training requirements

At the end of the session, learners should feel confident in planning a crayfish survey and be able to carry out a site recce and select suitable survey methods for the site.

The 90-minute event will consist of a 1-hour presentation followed by a Q&A with the tutor using questions provided by the live audience.

The presentations will be recorded and shared with those who booked alongside Q&A transcripts and relevant links following the event via a password-protected website.

Book your place via Eventbrite.