White-clawed Crayfish

Part of a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Cambridge Ecology will assess the Water Resources - Utilitiessuitability of your site to support White-clawed Crayfish. Subsequent detailed surveys may then be required to the inform appropriate levels of mitigation or compensation for a development licence applications. These White-clawed Crayfish surveys include specialised methods such as:

  • Active Searches
  • Hand-netting
  • Night -viewing
  • Trapping

Cambridge Ecology has experienced ecologists able to undertake White-clawed Crayfish surveys, personnel possess Natural England White-clawed Crayfish survey licence, necessary for all White-clawed Crayfish Surveys.

See survey timetable for the optimal survey period.

Legislation and protection

White-clawed Crayfish is fully protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and are Protected Species/Habitats. It is an offence to:

  • intentionally kill, injure or take (capture etc.) a take (capture etc.) a White-clawed Crayfish from the wild
  • sell, offer for sale, possess or transport for the purpose of sale (live or dead animal, part or derivative) or advertise for buying or selling such things.

Outside of designated areas protected for their important crayfish populations the legislation does not provide strict protection of individual crayfish or their habitats specifically. However, their habitats are usually indirectly protected through other legislation such as the EC Water Framework Directive (Council Directive 2000/60/EC).

Sentences include six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5000 (per animal).

The White-clawed Crayfish is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) priority species and is a Section 41 ‘species of priority importance’ under the terms of the NERC Act 2006.

For more information on how we can help you, please get in touch or call 01954 231239.