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UK Crayfish

Hello and welcome to UK Crayfish!

UK Crayfish provides information on crayfish in the UK. Here you can find everything you need to know about our only native species, the White-clawed crayfish, its ecology, reasons for its decline and the latest scientific research on it's biology. You can also find information and advice on introduced species and how you can help the White-clawed crayfish.

There are two different sections to this site, see below for more information.

Discover all about crayfish here!

Crayfish for everyone

Crayfish for professionals

Crayfish in Crisis

Crayfish in your area

Does trapping invasive crayfish help?

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© Mike Drew

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UK Crayfish

Here the site is split into two sections. Follow the first link to find out about the UK’s only native crayfish, White-clawed crayfish and to find advice information on invasive crayfish and what you can do to help. The second link provides information on White-claw conservation, research and technical documents on a range topics from surveying to legislation.

Crayfish for everyone

Crayfish for professionals

Crayfish image

Regional crayfish projects

A number of crayfish research and conservation projects are up and running around the country, which include Ark site creation and the latest studies on crayfish and their ecology. Drop in here to see whats underway in your local area

Spotted a non-native crayfish?

The Non-Native Species Secretariat have set up RISC, which is The Recording Invasive Species Counts project, which aims to record and better understand the ecology and distribution of invasive species in the UK.

If you have seen a non-native crayfish such as an North American Signal crayfish, you can now record your sighting and help us identify where non-native crayfish are spreading to. You can fill in and send your crayfish sightings here at the NNSS website.

Crayfish FAQ's

Follow the links to find out more...

What is a White-clawed crayfish?

A crayfish is a freshwater crustacean which lives in rivers, streams and lakes. The White-clawed crayfish is our only native species and is our largest mainland invertebrate.

Why is the White-clawed crayfish endangered?

White-clawed crayfish are declining because of the loss of habitat and due to competition by non-native, invasive crayfish species.

What is an invasive species?

They are animals which have been introduced intentionally or by accident into environments they are not naturally found in.

Can I trap and eat White-clawed crayfish?

No. As an endangered species, they are protected by law and trapping them is a criminal offence.

Can I help White-clawed crayfish by trapping and eating invasive species such as Signal crayfish?

Trapping invasive crayfish is unlikely to help the conservation of White-clawed crayfish. The Environment Agency allow trapping in some areas of the UK, but in habitats that have White-claws and other protected species permission is unlikely to be given. Trapping Signal crayfish can lead to their spread, as well as introducing crayfish plague and other invasive species to unaffected water bodies.

What do I do if I find a crayfish?

Firstly, leave it alone! The best thing to do is to make a note of where you found it and report it to your local Environment Agency office or email us here at UK Crayfish.