JSPCA PRESS RELEASE

October 2003  

UNUSUAL ARRIVAL AT THE JSPCA ANIMALS' SHELTER - AMERICAN CRAYFISH

An American Crayfish was brought to the Animals’ Shelter after being found in the road outside the "Royal Yacht" in St Helier. 

American Crayfish are much larger and more aggressive than the native UK species of crayfish, which is the White Clawed Crayfish.

The White Clawed Crayfish is a freshwater crayfish which lives in fast flowing streams, rivers, ponds and lakes where there are plenty of submerged rocks and tree roots to provide places for the crayfish to hide in.  This British crayfish species is currently under threat from pollution, habitat loss and competition from the American Crayfish.

American Crayfish were introduced into the UK for the restaurant trade in the 1970s, but some later escaped and have since been thriving in British waters.

ENDS