The brief
As part of on-going monitoring for the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS), surveys were required to ensure construction works were compliant with environmental planning conditions. We were asked to provide technical expertise by surveying a section of the River Aire for white-clawed crayfish.
White-clawed crayfish are protected in the UK. This species is listed under the European Union’s (EU) Habitat and Species Directive and is listed under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). It is also classified as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.
What we did
We surveyed sections of the River Aire and the adjacent canal by deploying and baiting crayfish traps throughout the watercourses. Fish that were caught in the traps were identified and returned to the water.
The outcome
Our results showed that no white-clawed crayfish were present throughout the site. This confirmed previous data records for the site.
