Last updated: October 2021
Two of Sheffield's rivers, the Limb Brook and the Porter Brook, have been identified as having strong populations of native white-clawed crayfish. The native crayfish is under pressure from the alien, invasive American signal crayfish and the crayfish plague. If no action is taken, the white-clawed crayfish populations in Sheffield could become extinct in a few years. Crayfish Action Sheffield aims to maintain and increase Sheffield’s native crayfish populations through habitat enhancement, public education and creation of bio-secure 'Ark' sites. It is a collaborative research project and Sheffield Crayfish Working Group’s members are from a range of conservation organizations. (ref3) The First time Crayfish Action plan was implemented in 2008-14 and after it ended in 2014, again the issue was looked in 2017. (ref 5)
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Focus
Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
Project objectives
1. To survey current populations of white-clawed and non-native signal crayfish (ref 3);
2. To raise awareness of the importance of the conservation of white-clawed crayfish among the general public and waterways users;
3. To engage with and train volunteers in crayfish conservation (ref 3);
4. To record data on the spatial and temporal distribution of white-clawed and non-native crayfish in Sheffield and to disseminate these data to interested organizations (ref 3);
5. To identify off-line water bodies to act as ‘Ark sites’ for safeguarding the native crayfish population and create Ark populations. (ref 3);
6. The White-claw Crayfish is listed as Red List by IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) as endangered and therefore is considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. So protecting their population and also increased the population (ref 6).
Implementation activities
River habitat surveys to understand the white-clawed crayfish habitats and how to re-populate (ref 6)
The project has engaged with over 40 volunteers and has provided training in survey methods, identification and data handling. Several volunteers have been involved in translocation work. The project aimed to increase levels of awareness, especially amongst angling groups. (ref 3)
Spatial and temporal mapping of crayfish records has been undertaken by Sheffield City Council. Two Ark sites have been established on watercourses to the west of the city. (ref 1)
The project aims to catching and breeding of remaining white claw crayfish and later release those crayfish to a safe home (ref 6)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect native species
- Undertake specific measures to protect endangered species
- Undertake specific measures to protect valued species
- Control and clean invasive alien species
Biodiversity restoration:
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore native species
- Restore endangered species
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Researchers/University
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Researchers/university
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The key partners in the project to save Sheffield's native crayfish are the Sheffield Crayfish Working Group, who’s members are drawn from a range of conservation organizations in the Sheffield District. (Ref 1) The City Council Ecology Unit hosts and provides support to the project officer. The Esmée Fairburn Foundation provides the majority of the funding, which covers the project officer cost, equipment, and other project overheads (ref 3).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Yes
( EC Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) (ref 1))
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(White-clawed crayfish are a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. (ref 1)
Protected under Schedule 5 of the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). (ref 1))
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
- Private Foundation/Trust
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Green space and habitat
- Increased number of protection areas
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increased number of species present
- Increased protection of threatened species
- Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts, Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Sheffield Local Biodiversity Action partnership. (2010). Species Action Plan-White-clawed crayfish. Accessed at: Source link [Accessed 21 July 2020].
2.Arthur, C. (2012). The Distribution Of The American Crayfish (Pacifastacus Leniusculus) In The Don River Catchment, South Yorkshire, UK. Lancaster Environment Center. Lancaster. Accessed at: Source link [Accessed 21 July 2020].
3. Sheffield, University. (2017). Saving Sheffield's white-clawed crayfish - Projects - What work has been done? Project index - Don Catchment - The University of Sheffield. [online] Source link. Accessed at: Source link [Accessed 21 July 2020].
4. Evans A. (2014). Endangered species in Sheffield dealt ‘major blow’ by plague. The Star. Accessed at: Source link (not accessible)
5. Dingler, M., 2018. Sheffield State Of Nature 2018. [online] Sheffield: Nature Counts. Available at: <Source link [Accessed 16 July 2020].
6. Hobson, W., 2019. The Crayfish In Crisis Project In The South West Peak District. [online] Derbyshire Life and Countryside. Available at: <Source link [Accessed 21 July 2020].
2.Arthur, C. (2012). The Distribution Of The American Crayfish (Pacifastacus Leniusculus) In The Don River Catchment, South Yorkshire, UK. Lancaster Environment Center. Lancaster. Accessed at: Source link [Accessed 21 July 2020].
3. Sheffield, University. (2017). Saving Sheffield's white-clawed crayfish - Projects - What work has been done? Project index - Don Catchment - The University of Sheffield. [online] Source link. Accessed at: Source link [Accessed 21 July 2020].
4. Evans A. (2014). Endangered species in Sheffield dealt ‘major blow’ by plague. The Star. Accessed at: Source link (not accessible)
5. Dingler, M., 2018. Sheffield State Of Nature 2018. [online] Sheffield: Nature Counts. Available at: <Source link [Accessed 16 July 2020].
6. Hobson, W., 2019. The Crayfish In Crisis Project In The South West Peak District. [online] Derbyshire Life and Countryside. Available at: <Source link [Accessed 21 July 2020].