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Volunteers Needed to Protect Endangered Crayfish in North Pennines
1 Nov
Summary
- Volunteers asked to help test water for water voles, mink, and white-clawed crayfish
- Eden Rivers Trust seeks "safe havens" for crayfish in North Pennines fellsides
- eDNA sampling method used to identify species in water bodies
As of November 1st, 2025, the Eden Rivers Trust is appealing for volunteers to assist in testing water samples for the presence of water voles, mink, and the critically endangered white-clawed crayfish in the North Pennines fellsides. The trust is seeking to identify "safe havens" where the crayfish population might still be able to thrive, free from the threat of invasive species.
The testing process involves collecting water samples and sending them to a laboratory for eDNA analysis, which can detect the presence of various species without significantly disturbing the habitat. This method is more cost-effective and quicker than traditional survey techniques when covering large areas.
According to the trust, the Eden catchment in Cumbria is one of the last strongholds for the white-clawed crayfish in England, but their populations have been rapidly declining due to water pollution and the invasive American signal crayfish. The trust is hopeful that this citizen science project will help identify potential refuges for the endangered species.
