Invasive crayfish found in Ashland canal; could be bad news for Oregon native – KTVZ

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. (KTVZ) – Northern crayfish have been discovered within the Ashland canal, marking the primary documented existence of this non-native species in Oregon.

Native to the Midwest, invasive populations of Northern crayfish exist in California and Washington.

This discovery could possibly be dangerous information for Oregon’s native sign crayfish – Northern crayfish are rather more aggressive. And as omnivores, they’ll prey on sign crayfish, the eggs of salmon and steelhead, and eat native vegetation, the Oregon Division of Fish and Wildlife mentioned Monday.

As a result of Ashland canal results in Bear Creek and the Rogue River, Rick Boatner, ODFW’s Invasive Species Coordinator, says Northern crayfish have the potential to duplicate what rusty crawfish did within the John Day River Basin.

It’s believed rusty crayfish have been launched within the John Day River close to Mitchell by a college group about 42 years in the past. These crayfish have since taken over many of the river from native sign crayfish and are predicted to enter the Columbia River by 2025. Sign crayfish are actually displaced and barely seen right this moment.

Though the Ashland canal can have low stormwater ranges, crayfish can burrow in mud and look forward to larger water. They’ll additionally journey over land to different water our bodies.

Boatner and his group will start surveying chosen areas of the canal beginning above Emigrant Reservoir to Lithia Park and trapping any Northern crayfish discovered. If the species is established, Boatner says they’re most definitely right here to say and can proceed to unfold within the Rogue River Basin.

If anybody is aware of of a crayfish launch within the Ashland space, you are requested to contact Boatner at 503-947-6308. Faculties are reminded that classroom specimens can’t be launched into the wild; a allow is required to import non-native crayfish into Oregon. Aquarium fish and different pets are additionally not allowed to be launched. These actions could cause important hurt to Oregon’s native fish and wildlife species, ODFW mentioned.

Persons are inspired to report invasive fish and wildlife to https://oregoninvasiveshotline.org/