CRAYNET ACHIEVEMENTS IN SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT OF EUROPEAN CRAYFISH, THE WAY FORWARD AND FUTURE CHALLENGES

Abstract

Crayfish are among the largest and longest-lived of freshwater invertebrates, and their wide-ranging activity means that they are not only appreciated as heritage species whose loss would diminish freshwater biodiversity, but they also act as keystone species, regulating biodiversity in streams and lakes. The CRAYNET project subtitled: European crayfish as keystone species - linking science, management and economics with sustainable environmental quality, involves eleven countries (France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Norway, United Kingdom, Poland, Finland and Spain). It was set up as a network of European researchers and managers to develop knowledge-based management strategies and a common approach to management. The aim is to highlight and stimulate research activities into the three threatened crayfish species native to the European Community, and to disseminate findings on these heritage species to the wider public. Consequently the Network is organised around three strands corresponding to the three indigenous crayfish present in Europe: Austropotamobius pallipes (western and southern Europe), considered as a threatened water quality bioindicator; Astacus astacus (northern Europe), which has a strong traditional and current fisheries value; and Austropotamobius torrentium (Circum-alpine countries) a species from the circum alpine region and whose status needs to be clarified. Craynet meetings started with the following topics: Monitoring in conservation and management of indigenous crayfish species (ICS); interaction between ICS and nonindigenous crayfish species (NICS); control and management of NICS; habitat restoration; reintroduction and restocking; legislation; education. CRAYNET aimed to establish a network of crayfish researchers and water managers and users. The main impacts of Craynet have been two-fold: 1- To generate ongoing dialogues between scientists and managers through the CRAYNET meetings, 2- To highlight the importance of education for the effective conservation of European native crayfish.Original Abstract: Les ecrevisses figurent parmi les invertebres d'eau douce de grande taille et d'une longue duree de vie; elles sont maintenant egalement appreciees non seulement en tant qu'especes patrimoniales dont la perte diminuerait la biodiversite en eaux douces mais aussi parce qu'elles agissent comme especes cles regulant cette biodiversite dans les lacs et les rivieres. Le projet CRAYNET intitule: European crayfish as keystone species - linking science, management and economics with sustainable environmental quality, implique onze pays (France, Irlande, Italie, Allemagne, Suede, Autriche, Norvege, Royaume Uni, Pologne, Finlande et Espagne). II a ete elabore en tant que reseau thematique europeen impliquant a la fois des scientifiques et des gestionnaires pour developper des strategies de gestion basees sur une connaissance solide et une approche commune de gestion. Le but est de mettre en valeur et de stimuler les activites de recherche sur les especes d'ecrevisses menaces et natives d'Europe et de disseminer la connaissance sur ces especes patrimoniales au plus large public possible. En consequence, le reseau est organise autour de trois axes correspondant a trois especes d'ecrevisses natives d'Europe: Austropotamobius pallipes (Europe de l'Ouest et du Sud), consideree comme une espece bioindicatrice de la qualite de l'eau, Astacus astacus (Europe du Nord), qui a toujours une forte valeur traditionnelle de peche et de consommation, et Austropotamobius torrentium (pays Circum-alpins) espece de montagne et dont le statut a encore besoin d'etre clarifie.