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Project summary

Project description

The project aims to improve the conditions for the protection of stone crayfish and noble crayfish populations. The project currently addresses the most significant threat to native crayfish populations, which is the spread of crayfish plague caused by the parasite Aphanomyces astaci. The project activities are based on the recommendations of the Stone Crayfish Species Action Plan, which include expanding monitoring to include methods using environmental DNA (eDNA), testing methods of migratory isolation of protected populations, and methods for early detection of invasive crayfish species that are carriers of crayfish plague. The project also includes activities aimed at raising awareness of the issue among sport fishermen and the public. The project's partial objectives are as follows:

• for selected localities with the occurrence of native crayfish species and their surroundings, to check the occurrence of invasive crayfish and Aphanomyces astaci using eDNA,
• in the event of crayfish plague, to verify the ability to localize the infection as accurately as possible using eDNA analysis,
• for selected localities with the occurrence of native crayfish species, to describe existing migration barriers and to identify objects suitable for temporary modifications in the event of the progression of crayfish plague or the population of invasive crayfish,
• for individual localities, to prepare a study describing the risks of the spread of crayfish plague and invasive crayfish species and objects on streams recommended for retention or modification for the purpose of population protection,
• to raise awareness of the issue of protecting native crayfish species and practices reducing the risk of crayfish plague transmission.

• locations of current and recent occurrence of stonefish in the Pilsen region,
• the Malše river basin in the Upper Malše EVL area, where the spread of signal crayfish is taking place,
• locations of occurrence of noble crayfish and signal crayfish in the Svratka river basin, where the crayfish plague is currently spreading.