Crayfish

It is an unknown problem for many people, but our ditches and rivers are full of crayfish. They are invasive exotic species that originally did not come from here.

Crayfish cut away water plants and drill small holes in dikes and banks, making them unstable. This reduces the quality of our waters. Because they have virtually no natural enemies and reproduce quickly, the red crayfish have become a real plague rather fast.

The project

We now have an accurate picture of the origins of the crayfish infestation. But how do we get rid of them again and what consumption advice should the red crayfish be given on our VISwijzer?

Along with those questions, Good Fish and Wageningen Environmental Research kicked off this project. In collaboration with fishermen and water managements, we are looking for the best possible solution to make the plague manageable. And that’s not so easy, because both have different interests

Fishermen see the positive effects of catching crayfish. The more local crayfish consumers, the faster we can get the infestation under control

The solution

One conclusion we can draw is that the plague will not disappear by itself. The good news is that the solution is actually very simple. The best way to combat the plague is to eat the crayfish! Buy them from a local fisherman (and not in the supermarket), put them on the BBQ or make a traditional Crayfish Boil!

Where do I buy them?

There is no commercial market yet for the sale of locally caught crayfish. Until recently, the 30 or so crayfish fishermen only supplied to the catering industry. In order to make the delicious crayfish also available to consumers, we have developed a map where you can easily find your nearest point of sale in The Netherlands. Take a quick look!