June 29, 2025 - 603 views
Organisations in Wales are teaming up to protect the native white-clawed crayfish, a species in danger of disappearing.
Conservation efforts include establishing safe sites for crayfish, monitoring their populations, and captive rearing.
Oliver Brown, Aquaculture officer for Natural Resources Wales said: "The white-clawed crayfish plays a crucial role in our river ecosystems and is an indicator of clean, healthy waters. Sadly, well over half of the UK’s population has been lost since the 1970s, with local extinctions in many river basins.
"Working with partners, we’re building a coordinated, long-term programme to understand where our native crayfish are and give them a fighting chance of survival.
"By giving young crayfish a head start and creating Ark sites, we’re giving this species a second chance. But we can’t do it alone. We need help from anglers, walkers, and everyone who spends time in or near rivers. The future of the species depends on what we all do next."
By practising good biosecurity, you can help prevent the spread of invasive species in our waters. Remember to:
Inspect your equipment, boat, and clothing for any mud, plants, or aquatic animals after leaving the water. Leave anything you find behind at the site.
Thoroughly clean your equipment as soon as possible, focusing on areas that may be damp or difficult to reach.
Allow everything to dry completely before using it again - some invasive species can survive for over two weeks in damp conditions.
Please take care to avoid disturbing white-clawed crayfish as it is illegal to do so without a licence.
If you see dead crayfish, you can report this along with the location, to the NRW incident communication line on 0300 065 3000.
