What is the problem with trapping non-native crayfish?
Often traps catch the larger crayfish, leaving the smaller ones to breed prolifically. This can result in a population explosion as more space and food becomes available and competition is reduced. Our native crayfish is under threat from an aggressive non-native species that carries a fungal disease called crayfish plague. This disease does not harm humans but is often deadly to our native crayfish. If you don’t disinfect your equipment properly, you can easily spread crayfish plague. Always disinfect your equipment before you move to another site. You must not use crayfish as fishing bait for the same reason. Spores of the plague can survive for up to two weeks – even in temperatures below freezing.
