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PART OF THE CHESHIRE REGION BIODIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP

WHITE CLAWED CRAYFISH (AUSTROPOTAMOBIUS PALLIPES)
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

Links to associated HAPs

None

CrayfishCurrent Status

White clawed crayfish have a wide distribution nationally, although naturally absent from western Wales, Scotland, parts of western England and parts of Ireland. Populations have declined by between 25-49% over the last 25 years. Distribution in the Cheshire region is patchy. The water quality of many rivers is often unsuitable or they do not have the required habitat features. There are, however significant populations of white clawed crayfish in the Weaver/Dane and Goyt/Etherow catchments. There are also records of signal crayfish in the Weaver/Dane, Goyt/Etherow and Bollin catchments.

The international importance of this species led to its inclusion in the short list of priority species by the U.K. Government's Biodiversity Steering Group Report (1995). White clawed crayfish are protected under Schedule 5 of Wildlife and Countryside Act, Appendix III of the Bern Convention and Annexes IIa and Va of the European Habitats and Species Directive. Annexe II requires designation of protected areas for listed species (none of which are in the Cheshire region).

Threats

How are we helping to conserve the White Clawed Crayfish in the Cheshire region?

Objectives, Targets and Actions

OBJECTIVES

LOCAL TARGETS

Maintain the current distribution of white clawed crayfish in the Cheshire region and prevent the further spread of signal crayfish.

 Attempt to maintain the present distribution of this species by limiting the spread of crayfish plague, limiting the spread of non-native species, and by maintaining appropriate habitat conditions.

ACTIONS REQUIRED

  • Continue survey work as opportunities arise e.g. in conjunction with other activities, such as river engineering works.
  • Ensure that issues relating to crayfish are included in LEAP's for all relevant catchments.
  • Liaise with riparian landowners to encourage changes in land management practices, which would lead to improvements in water quality and habitat. Promote the availability of the Countryside Stewardship grant scheme.
  • Investigate possible SBI designation for vulnerable sites with significant crayfish populations.
  • Identify and control sources of signal crayfish to prevent further escapes.
  • Monitor ongoing research into eradication of signal crayfish.
  • Investigate feasibility of eradicating or reduction programme for known signal crayfish populations.
  • Ensure wide distribution of the EA crayfish booklet, particularly to angling clubs.
  • Maintain contact with the national steering group and the EA national co-ordinator for crayfish.
  • Supply new records to national database and rECOrd.
  • Survey Peover Eye to establish extent of usage by crayfish.
  • Two crayfish identification courses to be run in 2007 at the beginning of survey season
  • Further surveys of watercourses and standing water within Cheshire to establish presence/absence of white-clawed and signal crayfish
  • Monitor future developments likely to affect resident white-clawed crayfish population Basford Brook at Crewe along with any other water courses containing white-clawed crayfish populations
  • Supply new records of white-clawed and signal crayfish to rECOrd and EA

Progress so far

2006 Action Completed
  • Field work for MSc course investigating White-clawed crayfish presence in watercourses near Crewe complete.
1997 - 2005 Action Completed
  • The LBAP for the white clawed crayfish has been formed.
  • Survey work carried out in autumn 1998 in Weaver/Dane and Goyt/Etherow catchments identified previously unrecorded populations of both white clawed and signal crayfish.
  • White clawed crayfish survey and rescue carried out during pipeline work in Weaver/Dane catchment.
  • EA has published a new crayfish information booklet.
  • A training day has taken place for EnvironmentAgency (North West, South Area) Staff
  • EA have investigated controlling the release of signal crayfish into the River Dane - no feasible option was identified.
  • New signal Crayfish population discovered in a fishing pool in the Crewe and Nantwich area.
  • MSc project on Basford Brook completed for EA.
  • EA and the Etherow Goyt Partnership completed the River Goyt and Etherow Crayfish Survey August - October 2000.
  • All relevant LEAPS contain issues relating to crayfish
  • Database held by rECOrd.
  • CWT completed crayfish survey of Sweetenham Brook, no crayfish found.
  • CWT carried out trapping survey of Bickley Brook, downstream of Bar Mere after a report by EA flood defense workers - no crayfish found.
  • Reaseheath Agricultural College have establish a facility for holding and studying native crayfish rescued from the A500 Shavington Hough Bypass crossing of Basford Brook.

How to find out more about the White Clawed Crayfish

Life in UK Rivers Project website - www.english-nature.org/LIFEinUKRivers/species/crayfish.html
Environment Agency information on crayfish - www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/fish/246986/342184/1205879/?version=1&lang=_e
UK BAP for Freshwater White Clawed Crayfish - www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=124

Contact details

LBAP Chair Phil Preston
Phone: 01829 770797
National Lead Partner Game Conservancy Trust
National Lead Contacts Dr David Rogers and Elizabeth Watson
Phone: 01332 850156

References & Glossary

Environment Agency river corridor surveys
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2:Action Plans, London.
Holdich, D.M., Reader, J.P. and Rogers, W.D. (1994): Crayfish Conservation R&D Project, National Rivers Association.

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