The case in summary: Crayfish plague infection has been detected on signal crayfish in the Øyeren, which increases the risk of spread. Signal crayfish is a North American freshwater crayfish and is an alien and unwanted species in Norwegian nature. In the area around Øyeren, there are several populations of noble crayfish that are now at risk of becoming infected. Researchers and professionals are concerned about contamination of the endangered Norwegian noble crayfish and ask people to follow bans and regulations carefully. Crayfish plague is an aggressive, fatal disease for the Norwegian noble crayfish. It is forbidden to catch crayfish in these areas, and it is important to disinfect equipment and boats to prevent the spread. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. A tip from a local angler led to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority approving trial fishing for crayfish in the Øyeren. It produced disappointing results. 12 signal crayfish were caught at Mørkfoss at the outlet of Øyeren. Crayfish plague infection was detected in half of the crayfish examined, the Veterinary Institute reports. Øyeren is a lake in the Glommavassdraget. It is located in Enebakk, Lillestrøm and Rælingen municipalities in Akershus county and Indre Østfold municipality in Østfold. Again and again According to the Veterinary Institute, Glomma was first affected by the crayfish plague in 1987. After that, the noble crayfish was reintroduced in several places in the 90s. But the plague alarm went off several times after that in the 2000s. – This is environmental crime of the worst kind. This is the opinion of the Game and Outland Manager in Indre Østfold, Pål Sindre Svae, who is very frustrated that the noble crayfish is once again facing an existential threat. – Unfortunately, I am not surprised. But I am disappointed and frustrated that we are constantly finding signal crayfish in new places, and that someone is actually willing to destroy a Norwegian native species by releasing the signal crayfish. – The direct effect of this is that Glomma, from Bingsfossen in Akershus and all the way to the outlet in Fredrikstad, will forever be empty of noble crayfish. Pål Sindre Svae is game and rangeland manager in Indre Østfold. He fears this will lead to the total extinction of a native species. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen Other professionals are also very concerned. Fear of infection to the endangered Norwegian noble crayfish – It is a big risk, says David Strand, researcher at the Veterinary Institute. While the noble crayfish belongs to Norway and is particularly widespread in Eastern Norway, the signal crayfish is a North American freshwater crayfish. It is an alien and unwanted species in Norwegian nature. Norwegian noble crayfish are threatened by the dreaded crayfish plague. Photo: Kaja Figenschou / news – It is very dangerous for our own noble crayfish since the signal crayfish carries the crayfish plague infection. While North American signal crayfish are healthy carriers of the disease, crayfish plague is an aggressive, fatal disease for the Norwegian noble crayfish, says Strand. If there is crayfish plague in water with crayfish, then all the crayfish will be eradicated from the water, the researcher states. – It is very sad, because we have several populations of noble crayfish in the area in other waters. Prohibited to move or catch crayfish The researcher is now asking people to be extra careful to follow prohibitions and regulations. Øyeren is a lake in the Glommavassdraget. The area is subject to additional restrictions to prevent the spread of crayfish plague, and it is forbidden to catch crayfish in these areas. – It is very important that people remember the regulations about disinfecting equipment and boats and what has been in the water, if you are going to move to other waters, to prevent spread, says Strand. He reminds that the release of alien species into Norwegian nature is illegal and is considered an environmental crime. Crayfish plague can be spread through water, boats and fishing equipment. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority asks people to notify them immediately if they find sick or dead crayfish. Published 22.08.2024, at 18.08
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– This is the end of the noble crayfish in Glomma – news Østfold – Local news, TV and radio
