Invasive crayfish damage increases in South Holland

The American crayfish is causing increasing damage in South Holland. The Schieland and Krimpenerwaard Water Board frequently finds leaks at weirs caused by the burrowing animals.

Weirs manage water levels, keeping them high or low as needed. The crayfish dig around these structures, resulting in leaks.

Freek de Boer from the water board told Rijnmond that additional water management is necessary when leaks occur, which requires significant energy and resources. The water board reports a rise in leak incidents, receiving three to five weekly reports, compared to once a month five years ago.

Paula Korteweg of the water board notes that addressing the crayfish problem is challenging due to fishing regulations, which limit crayfish capture to professional fishermen. Targeted crayfish capture has proven effective in reducing damage and improving water quality in a multi-year test in Krimpenerwaard, though it is labor-intensive and limited by the number of professional fishermen.

The water board advocates for a national approach, as millions of crayfish reside in their jurisdiction, beyond local management capabilities.

Source: NOS

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