People urged to stay out of Welsh river due to 'deadly crayfish plague'

Cathy Owen

4 July 2024 at 6:31 am·2-min read

People are being warned to stay out of a Welsh river after a number of dead crayfish were found in the water. Natural Resources Wales says people should not enter the River Irfon near Builth Wells as a precaution as the deaths could be due to a "crayfish plague".

The agency were given several reports of dead crayfish in the river on the evening of June 28 and officers were sent to investigate a three-mile stretch of the river.

Samples have been sent for testing, and results are expected next week (week commencing 8 July). The disease is only deadly to crayfish and is harmless to people, pets and other wildlife. It is spread by invasive non-native crayfish, such as the signal crayfish.

But as a precaution, NRW is asking the public to avoid entering the River Irfon. Crayfish Plague kills crayfish and spreads easily from one river to another, even with minimal contact. For example, if a dog enters the infected river and later goes into another river, it could spread the disease.

Jenny Phillips, South Powys environment team leader for NRW emphasised the conservation importance of the white-clawed crayfish. He said: "The Wye catchment, including the River Irfon, is a key habitat for the white-clawed crayfish. This species is endangered, with numbers dropping 50-80% in recent years due to non-native crayfish and crayfish plague.

“The native, white-clawed crayfish is one of the reasons the River Wye has been designated a Special Area of Conservation so it’s crucial that we limit the spread of the plague to protect other local populations.

“By staying out of the river, we can help stop the spread of this disease and protect these valuable creatures." The agency also pointed out that the crayfish is "essential for our ecosystem" and indicates healthy, clean rivers. Adding: "Taking these steps will help ensure the survival of this endangered species and maintain the health of the Wye catchment."

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