White-clawed crayfish projects

The native white-clawed crayfish has its best stronghold in Cumbria.  It is under threat of extiction because of the larger American signal crayfish which has forced the British variety from many rivers.  We are doing all we can to save it by creating the right conditions for it to live and educating people about the risks of accidentally transporting the American variety into the river. Click here for more information about the species.  For more information on how to save the white-clawed crayfish click here.

Eden Rivers Trust has completed one crayfish conservation project and is now carrying out another:

1. REACH (Restore & Enhance A Crayfish Habitat) on the Rivers Leith and Lyvennet near Penrith - 2008 - 2009 

2. Hoff-Helm Crayfish Project on the Hoff and Helm Becks near Appleby (2009 - 2012).

Both projects were funded by SITA Trust and form part of our overall conservation plans for the Rivers Leith and Lyvennet near Penrith and the Hoff and Helm Becks near Appleby.

Our crayfish conservation projects aim to:

• Raise awareness of the Eden’s important white-clawed crayfish population and the dangers of introducing alien crayfish species and crayfish plague;
• Carry out work to improve rivers for crayfish; and
• Monitor the impact of habitat improvement works on the population. 

This is achieved by: 

• Education and community engagement;
• Crayfish surveys;
• Working with farmers and other land owners along the river to improve the river for crayfish.

Education and community engagement

This includes including working in schools and colleges, with youth groups such as scouts and guides, and community groups such as the Soroptimists and Friends of Melbourne Park.  For more information about our education work and community work, please visit our "Discover Eden" pages www.discovereden.org.uk  

Press Releases

- Cumbria crayfish stronghold
- The Advance of the American Signal Crayfish
- Explore the world of the native Crayfish
- Crayfish helped by 2 year SITA funded project
- Native Crayfish doing well in Eden Valley

Crayfish surveys 

To survey crayfish we use a recognised manual search method which involves looking under stones in the river and catching, counting and measuring the crayfish we find.  We have been running crayfish survey training days and involving volunteers of all ages and from all walks of live. 

We have now surveyed crayfish in the Leith and Lyvennet and the Hoff and Helm every year from 2007 to 2010 (see our list of reports below). The survey looks at the abundance, distribution and health of crayfish.  This identifies problems for native crayfish populations and enables us to find areas in need of habitat improvement.  It helps us ensure that all our river projects for crayfish are guided by a sound scientific basis.

Habitat improvement 

In conjunction with the survey, we are carrying out work on the rivers to create the conditions which they need to thrive.  This includes installing riverside fences, planting riverside trees and reducing pollution from farms and other sources.

Reports

To learn more about our conservation work for the white-clawed crayfish, you can download the following reports.

- Initial ARK Site Assessment Report July 2010
- 2009-2010 Crayfish Survey Report 
- 2008 Crayfish Survey Report
- 2007 Crayfish Survey Report
- REACH Project Final Report
- Leith/Lyvennet sub-catchment conservation plan
- Hoff/Helm sub-catchment conservation plan