Current status
In Europe this crayfish was formerly widespread in France, Spain and Italy, but populations are now confined to a diminishing number of areas. It is the only species of freshwater crayfish which is native to the UK. It is widespread in clean, calcareous streams, rivers and lakes in England and Wales and occurs in a few areas in Northern Ireland, but many populations have been lost since the 1970s.
This species is listed in Appendix III of the Bern Convention and Annexes II and V of the EC Habitats Directive. It is classed as Globally Threatened by IUCN/WCMC. It is protected under Schedule 5 of the WCA in respect of taking from the wild and sale, and is proposed for addition to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Crayfish plague, a disease caused by the fungus Aphanomyces astaci which is carried by some North American crayfish including the signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus. Spores from the fungus can also be transmitted by a variety of other means, including water, fish and damp equipment.
Direct competition for food and habitat from non-native crayfish: three non-native crayfish species are now breeding in the wild.
Habitat modification and management of waterbodies.
Pollution, particularly pesticides and sewage.
Current action
JNCC published an action plan in 1994 for the conservation of the white-clawed crayfish in the UK.
MAFF and SOAEFD are to use fisheries legislation to regulate the keeping of non-native crayfish species to protect native crayfish and habitats in England, Wales and Scotland.
NRA has commissioned research regarding future management for the species, and published a leaflet on crayfish plague, with a guide to identifying both native and introduced species.
Nottingham University and the Biological Records Centre (ITE) hold and update a database on crayfish in the UK. Various surveys are being undertaken.
The three species of non-native crayfish established in the wild are listed on Schedule 9 of the WCA which makes it an offence to release or allow them to escape into the wild.
Four sites have been proposed as candidate SACs for this species, under the EC Habitats Directive.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain the present geographical distribution of this species.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Designate "no-go" areas for the keeping of non-native crayfish under the Import of Live Fish (England and Wales) Act 1980 and the Import of Live Fish (Scotland) Act 1978. (ACTION: MAFF, SOAEFD, WOAD)
Section 14 of the WCA and Article 15 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order should be used to prevent the further spread of non-native crayfish into areas which contain natural populations. (ACTION: DANI, MAFF, SOAEFD, WOAD)
The use of byelaws to control baiting with crayfish by anglers should be reviewed. (ACTION: NRA)
Seek to control the keeping of non-native crayfish which are not yet established in the wild, and the trade of non-native crayfish as pets or for other ornamental purposes throughout the UK. (ACTION: DANI, MAFF)
Site safeguard and management
Consider designating further sites vital for the white-clawed crayfish as SSSI/ASSIs. (ACTION: CCW, DoE(NI))
Ensure appropriate habitat management is undertaken. (ACTION: CCW, NE, NRA)
Species management and protection
Establish the feasibility of eradicating non-native crayfish populations from the wild where they threaten sensitive sites or important populations of native crayfish. (ACTION: CCW, NE, NRA)
If feasible, instigate and support re-introduction programmes to selected sites. (ACTION: CCW, NE, NRA)
Licences should not be issued for the release of non-native crayfish to sites where there are inadequate precautions to prevent escape within "no-go" areas. (ACTION: DANI, MAFF, SOAEFD, WOAD)
Advisory
Provide advice for those involved in the conservation of this species and the management of non-native crayfish populations. (ACTION: CCW, DANI, DoE(NI), NE, MAFF, NRA, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)
Provide advice on disinfection procedures to prevent the transmission of crayfish plague. (ACTION: CCW, NE, NRA)
Future Research and Monitoring
Make inventories of SSSIs/ASSIs which contain native crayfish populations. Monitor populations in protected areas. Maintain the detailed databases on the distribution of the native and non-native crayfish held at Nottingham University and the Biological Records Centre. (ACTION: CCW, JNCC, NRA)
Investigate the potential for recovery of native crayfish in areas affected by crayfish plague, and the feasibility of re-introducing the species to these areas. (ACTION: CCW, DoE(NI), NRA,)
Assess the morphological and genetic variability across the range before decisions are made on stocks for re-introduction programmes. (ACTION: CCW, NE,)
Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to JNCC or BRC so that it can be incorporated in national databases. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Provide information annually to the World Conservation Monitoring Centre on the UK status of the species to contribute to maintenance of an up-to-date global red list. (ACTION: JNCC)
Communications and Publicity
Increase public awareness of the presence of this species in local rivers and the threats to its existence. Publicise the need for conservation and how the public can help by contributing records to the databases on distribution. (ACTION: CCW, DoE(NI), NE, NRA)
Ensure that anglers (and others using the aquatic environment), and visitors to nature reserves and SSSI/ASSIs containing the crayfish, are made aware of the risks of spreading crayfish plague on equipment and of the legislative controls on release of non-native species. (ACTION: CCW, DoE(NI), NE, NRA)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Publication details
Originally published in: Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report - Volume II: Action Plans (December 1995, Tranche 1, Vol 2, p157)