Conservationists highlight worsening plight of UK crayfish

Bristol conservationists are highlighting the worsening plight of native crayfish as the species is officially upgraded to ‘endangered’ today (Wednesday, October 27).

White-clawed crayfish are the UK’s only native freshwater crayfish, but their numbers have suffered extensive decline in recent years. Experts warn the species could become extinct from the UK within the next 30 years; it is currently a protected species.

Today white-clawed crayfish have been upgraded from ‘Vulnerable’ to ‘Endangered’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species following a Sampled Red List Index (SRLI) assessment by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). The ranking gives an indication of how likely a species is to becoming extinct.

The South West Crayfish Project, led by Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation, works to help protect the UK's only native crayfish species from threats such as the deadly crayfish plague and invasive species.

Eve Leegwater, Technical Biodiversity Officer at the Environment Agency, said: “‘It is important to base conservation efforts on scientific research and the IUCN Red List has become an increasingly important tool to guide government and scientific institutes towards the conservation and legislation of species and habitats at risk of extinction.”

She added: “The change in status of white-clawed crayfish will help stress the need for conservation strategies to be implemented to aid this valuable species.”

Up to 70 per cent of white-clawed crayfish have between lost from the south west and some parts of the UK have lost their entire populations. This is predominantly due to the crayfish plague - a fungus-like disease which is harmless to people and most animals, but lethal to white-clawed crayfish.

The crayfish plague is spread by the invasive American signal crayfish – a non-native species which is taking over UK waterways and wiping out our smaller native species.

The South West Crayfish Project is currently running the largest strategic translocation in the UK to date, re-homing at-risk populations of white-clawed crayfish to new safe sites.

In addition, a breeding programme for the crayfish is being developed at Bristol Zoo Gardens – the sister organisation to the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation (BCSF).

Maddy Rees, UK Conservation Officer for the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation, said: “Although research is being undertaken, there is currently no effective way to eradicate non-native crayfish species, or the crayfish plague. However, there are some simple, precautionary steps the public can take to help prevent the spread of the crayfish plague.

“The plague can be carried on anything that gets wet in infected water, so we are urging people to wash, dry and, if possible, disinfect footwear, fishing tackle, nets and other equipment that gets damp in our rivers and lakes. Never trap for any species of crayfish without a trapping licence, as it is illegal, and finally, never move wild fish between waterways, always use a reputable stockist.”

The South West Crayfish Project is a partnership between the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation, Avon Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency and Buglife, and is funded by Natural England, Biffaward and Bristol Water.

The survival of white-clawed crayfish will be the focus of a conference held at Bristol Zoo Gardens later this year. The event, called ‘Species survival: Securing white-clawed crayfish in a changing environment’ will take place on November 16 and 17. It will include a range of lectures from speakers from across Europe, and presentations from experts in the field of UK crayfish conservation. To find out more, or to register to attend, please contact mrees@bcsf.org.uk  or visit the ‘what’s on’ pages at http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/



For more information about the South West Crayfish Project, please visit www.bcsf.org.uk/about/conservation/project  or contact Maddy Rees by email on mrees@bcsf.org.uk

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Conservationists appeal to help save native crayfish

Conservationists appeal to help save native crayfish

Maddy Reece and Crayfish

Conservationists from a partnership to protect native crayfish are highlighting the need for people to take extra care near waterways, to help protect endangered species.


The South West Crayfish Project works across the region to help protect one of the UK’s globally threatened species – the white-clawed crayfish - from threats such as the deadly crayfish plague. The plague is spread by the invasive American signal crayfish – a non-native species which is taking over UK waterways and wiping out the smaller native species.

The crayfish project partnership is led by the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation, a sister organisation of Bristol Zoo Gardens. Now ecologists from the project are urging anglers in particular to be vigilant when fishing, after an environmentalist was fined for catching, cooking and eating endangered white-clawed crayfish.

The environmentalist, from Leeds, was last week ordered to pay £4,000 after catching 40 crayfish which he believed were invasive American signal crayfish, but which turned out to be the UK’s native white-clawed species.

White-clawed crayfish are classed as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. They are the UK’s only native crayfish species, but their numbers have suffered extensive decline in recent years.

Up to 95 per cent of populations have been lost in some parts of the UK due to the crayfish plague - a fungus-like disease which is harmless to people and most animals but lethal to white-clawed crayfish.

Experts warn the creatures could become extinct from the UK within the next 30 years and the species is now a protected, as well as being a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority species.

Maddy Rees, spokesperson for the South West Crayfish Project, said: “American signal crayfish are the main culprits for spreading the crayfish plague which is wiping out our native crayfish. However, the plague can also be spread by people as it can be carried on anything that gets wet in infected water – this can include wellies, walking boots, fishing tackle and nets.

“While we encourage people to get out and about and enjoy our beautiful countryside, there are a few simple measures people can take to help prevent the spread of this disease. We are urging people to clean and dry any equipment or footwear that gets wet in rivers and lakes. Drying is particularly important as any remaining moisture may enable the disease to survive.”

The South West Crayfish Project is a partnership between the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation, Avon Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency and Buglife, and is funded by Natural England, Biffaward and Bristol Water.

For more information about the South West Crayfish Project, please visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk/about/conservation/project  or contact Maddy Rees by email on mrees@bristolzoo.org.uk

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Appeal to help save native crayfish this Christmas season

Ecologists from a local partnership to protect nativecrayfish are appealing for help saving the species this Christmas and New Year.


The South West Crayfish Project aims to raise awareness of the simple steps the public can take to protect this important aquatic animal from the deadly crayfish plague.

Crayfish plague is a fungus-like disease which is harmless to people and animals but lethal to our native white-clawed crayfish. It can be spread by people as it attaches onto anything that gets wet in infected water – this can include wellies, walking boots, fishing tackle and nets.

Maddy Rees, spokesperson for the South West Crayfish Project, explains how people can help stop the spread of the disease this festive period: “Many people enjoy going out for a long walk after a big Christmas dinner, or perhaps on Boxing Day or New Year’s Day. While we encourage people to get out and about and enjoy our beautiful countryside, there are a few simple measures people can take to help prevent the spread of this crayfish disease.”

She added: “Whether you are taking a walk along the river or teaching your children to fish, be aware that you might be affecting the health of our native wildlife. We are urging people to help prevent the spread of the crayfish plague by simply cleaning and drying any equipment or footwear you get wet in our rivers and lakes. The drying is particularly important as any remaining moisture may enable the disease to survive.”

The South West Crayfish Project is a partnership led by the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation - a sister organisation to Bristol Zoo Gardens - with the Avon Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, Buglife and funded by Natural England, Biffaward and Bristol Water.

The white-clawed crayfish is the UK’s only native crayfish species, but their numbers have suffered extensive decline in recent years. Up to 95 per cent of populations have been lost in some parts of the UK due to the crayfish plague.

Experts warn the species could become extinct from the UK within the next 30 years and the species has now been designated a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority species.

One of the main culprits for the spread of the disease is the aggressive American signal crayfish – a non-native species which is taking over UK waterways and wiping out the smaller native species.

For more information about the South West Crayfish Project, please visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk/about/conservation/project  or contact Maddy Rees by email on mrees@bristolzoo.org.uk