Abstract

This report will highlight management tools, legislation, and control since the late sixties and which measures authorities have taken to prevent the crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) to infect the noble crayfish (Astacus astacus). A hundred years ago Sweden had approximately 30.000 populations of noble crayfish. Today, 95 % of these populations have been lost, mainly due to the crayfish plague and environmental impacts. There is a great risk that the noble crayfish will become extinct in southern Sweden if this trend is not broken. The noble crayfish has been on the Swedish Red List for endangered animal species since 1993. A ban on import of live crayfish was imposed in Sweden in august 2003. Some of the most important measures to preserve the crayfish are: 1) Inform about the ecological, economical and cultural value of the noble crayfish, about the threats against its survival, for example, the risks with illegal introductions of the signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) which almost always spread the plague, and inform about protective measures which can preserve the noble crayfish. 2) Designate protected areas and strengthen the legislation for these areas. The process of setting up protected areas for crayfish is in progress at many county administrative boards

Published in

Publisher: Vattenbruksinstitutionen, SLU

SLU Authors

• Lundqvist, Hans

  • Department of Aquaculture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/2846