North American Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusulus)

Species

Distribution


North American Signal Crayfish
(Pacifastacus leniusculus)

Photo courtesy of GB Non Native Species Secretariat

To view NBN location data click here

 

Impacts

Pathways
  • Documented harmful impacts include eradication of indigenous population of white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes through direct competition and transmission of lethal crayfish plague Aphanomyces astaci.
  • Excludes salmonids from preferred habitat
  • Impacts on other species and habitats also occur including benthic fish, aquatic invertebrates, macrophytes, and invertebrates.
  • Deliberate introduction (for wild harvest, fish food or weed control
  • Accidental introduction with stocked fish.
  • Inter-catchment spread via canals
  • Natural colonisation of tributaries from main rivers
  • Accidental or deliberate release of live crayfish intended for food in restaurants
  • Occasional movement by predators

Management

Prevention

Do not introduce into, or take crayfish from, the wild. It is illegal to be in possession of live crayfish or trap them without a licence. Licensing enquiries should be directed to: Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries, Pentland House, 47 Robb’s Loan, Tel:

If you see a crayfish in the wild, either live specimens or the remains of a dead crayfish please report it through this website (click here to make a report) and contact either:

Fisheries Research Services Freshwater Laboratory, Faskally, Pitlochry,  LB Tel: . Email

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