Crayfish out of water
A200-year-old cattle drinking hole in Northumberland will become home to 100 white-clawed crayfish— one of the UK’S most endangered species and our only indigenous crayfish.
Ever since the larger American signal crayfish was introduced in the 1970s, to feed demand from restaurants, populations of white-clawed crayfish have dwindled, as their American cousins compete for food and carry a deadly plague. Experts fear extinction, yet the crayfish ‘are vital to our ecology, helping to keep our waterways clean and providing a source of food for other native species,’ says Ian Marshall of the Environment Agency (EA).
It is hoped that the 100 to be relocated —from the Wansbeck on the National Trust’s Wallington estate—will breed at the spring-fed site, where rangers have prepared dry-stone walls for crevice habitats, checked water samples and planted 20 willows on the bank.
‘This species is on a knife-edge. It’s so important we shore up the healthy populations… as quickly as we can,’ explains Wallington ranger Matthew Fitch. ‘The “Ark” site will not only give us a safe haven for the crayfish, but also contribute to its long-term protection. The ones kept here can, in theory, be used to repopulate other waterways.’
If the project is a success, another batch will be moved in September. The Trust is also working with the EA, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Northumberland National Park and The Rivers Trust to help people across the North-east understand how they can help—namely by reporting sightings of crayfish, dead or alive, to the EA by telephoning 0800 807060, and being aware that crayfish plague can be carried on boots, dog paws and fishing equipment and can survive on wet or muddy items for up to three weeks. ‘We really need people to help us,’ adds Mr Fitch. ‘That means cleaning boots, dog paws, or any fishing rods or boat equipment and then leaving them to dry for as long as possible before using anything in another body of water.’