Caring for crayfish

摘要

Thousands of fish have been relocated along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal as part of the Canal & River Trust's annual winter maintenance programme at two of Bingley's waterways landmarks. Dowley Gap Aqueduct and the neighbouring two-rise lock flight were both drained as part of the work to repair leaks and replace the lock gates. The fish were relocated to a safe part of the canal to preserve their population. Several white clawed crayfish, a protected species which are native to Britain, were also rehomed. The UK's canals and rivers are home to several species of crayfish particularly where there is dry stone bank protection. Once widespread across Europe, the white clawed crayfish has suffered major population crashes since the 1970s, due to disease and competition. Several unwelcome imports have become common including the now widespread American signal crayfish. Despite the threats, large populations can still be found.