Invertebrates

White-clawed Crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes)

Objectives

Targets

To maintain all known important white-clawed crayfish populations by appropriate ongoing management and site safe-guard by 2005.

Total achievements to date (November 1998 - March 2001)

Various sites are receiving appropriate management for their white-clawed crayfish including Stowe Pool and Chasewater.
Five new sites have been identified throughout the County for white-clawed crayfish.
Two sites within Staffordshire have been notified as SSSIs for their white-clawed crayfish populations.

Current Action

Protection and Policy

The Joint Nature Conservation Council have published an action plan for the 'Conservation of the white-clawed crayfish in the UK'.
The white-clawed crayfish is listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 198, Appendix III of the Berne Convention and in Appendix II and V of the European Habitats Directive.
The Trent catchment has been designated by DEFRA as a 'no-go' area for crayfish farms to reduce the risk of accidental releases of alien species into the wild.

Management, Research and Survey

English Nature has identified the white-clawed crayfish as a priority species for conservation on its Priority Species Action Programme.
Environment Agency are leading on a R&D Project into methods of eradicating non-native crayfish from watercourses.
An SBAP Species Recording Card has been produced and circulated for the white-clawed crayfish.

Action Plan

UK Lead Organisation:

N/A

County Lead Organisation:

N/A

Policy

Seek to ensure all Staffordshire LEAPs include specific measures for white-clawed crayfish conservation. (EA)
Seek to promote the issues relating to the spread of crayfish plague. (EA)
Object to applications for crayfish farms and the issuing of licences for the release of non-native species into the wild. (EA)
Lobby for changes in the Countryside Stewardship scheme for options to improve wetland habitats. (SWT)
Ensure any examples of sites containing populations of this species that meet the required criteria are given SBI status. (SBI Grading Committee)
Ensure appropriate sites containing populations of this species meeting the SSSI criteria are designated. (EN)
Object to applications for crayfish farms. (EA & DEFRA)

Management

Create 20 sites suitable for white-clawed crayfish by 2010. (Landowners, Developers)
Seek to ensure that suitable mitigation is undertaken on development adjacent to watercourses. (Developers, LAs)
Implement measures to reduce the spread of non-native crayfish species. (Angling Clubs, Water Companies, British Waterways)
Ensure flood defence and routine river and pool maintenance work is compatible with native crayfish habitat needs. (EA, IDB)

Monitoring and Research

Set up and maintain a database for crayfish records. (EA)
Pursue research opportunities with local universities through student projects. (SWT, Universities)

Advisory

Increase species awareness for the public and landowners through education, promotion and events. (SBAP Partnership)
Provide advice to landowners on suitable habitat management for white-clawed crayfish. (EA, GCT)

Complementary Plans