Saving the small things that run the planetThe White-clawed Crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) is one of the UK’s largest freshwater invertebrates and our only native crayfish. Once widespread and common in English and Welsh rivers, the White-clawed Crayfish is fully protected, and now classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is declining globally.
Quick Facts:
Many populations of the White-clawed Crayfish have been lost in the UK due to water pollution, habitat degradation and the invasive, non-native American Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus). The American Signal Crayfish out-compete the White-clawed Crayfish for food and carry deadly crayfish plague – a fungal infection to which American Signal Crayfish are immune but is deadly to White-clawed Crayfish.
This project is currently in its pilot stage. The focus during this stage is rescues, translocations and reintroductions to halt the decline of the White-clawed Crayfish in the Midlands. To do this, ark sites will be identified, which will provide safe havens where new populations of White-clawed Crayfish can be established, as well donor populations that can be used to populate ark sites.
We will also survey the area to map all native and invasive, non-native crayfish and incidences of crayfish plague. By doing this we can carry out targeted rescue missions for at-risk populations of White-clawed Crayfish and relocate them to safe ark sites.
In tandem with this, we will work to engage people with the plight of the White-clawed Crayfish and encourage communities to take interest in their rivers, streams and aquatic invertebrates through pond-dipping sessions, walks and talks. Integral to these sessions will also be raising awareness on bio-security protocols amongst river users and spreading the ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ message.
We will work closely with other projects throughout the Midlands to share best-practices, information and expertise through the Midlands Crayfish Partnership.
Communities can get involved through a series of opportunities including volunteering, attending walks and talks and by being responsible river users, following the Check, Clean, Dry protocol.
To find out more about getting involved in the Midlands Crayfish Partnership, please contact Liz Oldring (Conservation Officer) at [email protected].
Funding for The Midlands Crayfish Partnership is has been provided by the West Midlands Combined Authority Community Environment Fund (West Midlands project area only), the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Marjorie Cootes Animal Charity, Northwick Trust, Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust and HDH Wills Charitable Trust.
