Published: Less than 1 hour ago
Updated: Less than 40 min ago
An invasive crayfish has been discovered in Lake Tullingesjön in Stockholm County. The species is aggressive and cannot be eradicated. Now those who, for example, have a boat in the lake are asked to help so that the cancer does not spread to other waters.
The species in question, which is a marl crayfish with the Latin name Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, is aggressive and risks displacing the natural benthic fauna in shallow environments.
Recently, the larger predatory marl, which is related to the variant in Tullingesjön, was found in Vättern. Both place themselves in the highest risk class according to the Swedish risk classification of alien species, which means that they can cause major problems for alien species.
“To eradicate the species once it has reached a lake is not possible, but the fact that it has now been discovered gives us the opportunity to together prevent its spread to other waters,” says Jennie Barthel Svedén, environmental officer at the Stockholm County Administrative Board, in a press release.
To prevent the spread of the marl cancer and other invasive species, whoever has a boat or equipment is asked to empty these of water and then let them dry for a couple of days before moving them to a new body of water. You must also make sure to clean both boats and equipment from plant parts, animals and sediment before a move.