Protection

White-clawed crayfish are protected under:

• The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

When do I need to get in touch?

Any work proposed to occur within or in close proximity to a river should be assessed to determine if white-clawed crayfish are present. An assessment for the potential of white-clawed crayfish presence can be undertaken as a standalone survey or as part of a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal / Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey.

If a river has potential to support white-clawed crayfish, surveys may be required to determine presence and/or population status before works can commence.

To prevent delays in your project, it’s important to get in touch as early as possible as white-clawed crayfish surveys are highly seasonal.

How can EcoNorth help me?

We can provide you with advice on white-clawed crayfish protection and your options. We undertake all types of white-clawed crayfish surveys, licencing, and mitigation. We apply best practice guidelines, along with our in-depth knowledge of white-clawed crayfish and their habitat requirements, and present the results in our detailed professional reports to inform and support your project’s planning application or other consenting process.

White-clawed crayfish surveys are undertaken from April to October (May-June to be avoided).