Abstract
Globally, some of the most widely distributed, damaging freshwater non-indigenous species are crayfish. With an increasing demand to meet regulatory targets, there is a need to implement more stringent controls to prevent further environmental stress and irreparable shifts in species diversity attributed to non-indigenous crayfish. In establishing a management strategy for non-indigenous crayfish in Great Britain (GB), consideration needs to be given to: (1) the prevention of further introductions of species, including novel species and those already established; (2) methods for containing and preventing the further spread of established populations, and (3) methods for eradication/control. This review aims to provide a critique of existing and potential management methods (mechanical, physical, biological, biocidal, autocidal, legislative) and how they can be potentially used in a cohesive, intergrated and comprehensive strategy with particular reference to GB and the management of the signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to acknowledge Defra for funding the work (contract codes 5471/C5775) and making it possible. We would also like to thank David Holdich for his constructive comments, editorial help and patience.