Two companies have teamed up with a wildlife charity to help an endangered species.
Native White-clawed Crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) numbers have fallen drastically since escaped North American Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) took to British waterways in the 70s. This non-native species can carry an infectious disease which white-claws have no resistance to. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has spearheaded several projects to save White-clawed Crayfish over the years, relocating thousands of them to new sites, called ark sites, away from signal crayfish. This work enables new colonies of healthy White-clawed Crayfish to establish.
Ibstock PLC, who have bases in Cannock and Newcastle-under-Lyme, and their transport partner Bimson Haulage Ltd are gifting surplus perforated bricks for use by the Midland Crayfish Partnership. Once submerged in water the bricks create ‘crayfish reefs’ at various ark sites in Staffordshire. The crayfish use all the nooks and crannies of the bricks as resting spots during the day. The donated bricks are seconds which would otherwise be crushed. A win for nature and sustainability!
Nick Mott, River Restoration Manager for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, says: “These crayfish reefs are making a big contribution to our conservation efforts. We’re grateful to both companies for helping with this work in this way. Projects like these are vital, if we’re to save this globally-endangered species.
First teams identify healthy breeding White-claw Crayfish before moving a number of them to new shallow streams and isolated pools known as ‘ark sites’. These sites are carefully chosen but there’s not always enough hideaways within them and crayfish need these safe resting places.
The bricks are the perfect solution. Repurposing them in this way also prevents industrial waste. This vital work is bolstering the population of White-clawed Crayfish in the UK and preventing further losses.”
Boki Ashmore, SHE Systems Coordinator for Ibstock PLC, says: “We at Ibstock PLC are delighted to support the preservation of the White-clawed Crayfish. By donating surplus and by-product perforated bricks to create crayfish reefs, we not only aid in conserving this endangered species but also promote sustainability by repurposing materials. It’s an honour to be part of such a meaningful project that enhances biodiversity and helps protect our natural heritage.”
“It’s a really fabulous way of recycling and helping the crayfish at the same time. This part of the wider Midland Crayfish Partnership project also shows how industry and conservation projects can work well together to benefit an endangered species”, adds Liz Oldring, Buglife, Midlands Crayfish Partnership Conservation Officer
The Midlands Crayfish Partnership is led by Buglife. Buglife works with a host of partners including The Wildlife Trusts, Forestry England, Environment Agency, The National Trust, the Trentham Estate, Birmingham Sealife Centre, Natural England, Peak District National Park Authority and several National Landscapes including Cannock Chase, the Shropshire Hills and the Malvern Hills.
Main Image Credit: White-clawed Crayfish using brick © Liz Oldring
