Protected Species Surveys > White Clawed Crayfish
The white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes, is protected under annexes II and V of the Habitats Directive, Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Schedule 5 of the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). It is a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, and a Species Action Plan has been prepared to encourage measures for its survival. It is an offence to take the white clawed crayfish in the wild and a licence is required from Natural England when there is a need to take crayfish for survey and identification purposes. In addition if traps are to be used then a permit from the Environment Agency would also be required.
In view of this protection many local planning authorities will require a survey for this species where development works are likely to affect its aquatic and bank side habitat.
Greenwillows Associates personnel are experienced in crayfish surveys and mitigation and hold the appropriate licences to permit such surveys.