Noble Crayfish farming in Sweden
In Sweden, there are two species of freshwater crayfish: the noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) and the introduced signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus). The population of the noble crayfish has declined sharply in Sweden during the 1900s, mainly because of the crayfish plague. Other reasons for the decline include the spread of signal crayfish, acidification, pollution and water regulation.
It is estimated that as much as 97 per cent of crayfish stocks have been knocked out in the last hundred years. The noble crayfish is culturally and socially very important, and has a high economic value on the market. In many parts of Sweden, efforts are underway to preserve and strengthen the fishing of the noble crayfish.
Publications and education
Book: Noble crayfish and crayfish farming in Sweden - a handbook based on experience
This handbook is divided into two parts. The first part contains a lot of information and facts about crayfish. The next part is a more practical guide to crayfish farming. Authors: Per Nyström and Marika Stenberg (Ekoll AB), Lennart Edsman and Patrik Bohman (SLU, Department of Aquatic Resources).
Training material: Kräftodlingens ABC
SLU has developed a training material in Swedish on noble crayfish farming, "Kräftodlingens ABC". The training material addresses those wanting to start farming noble crayfish. The package contains a handbook, a movie, information on financing, noble crayfish and crayfish plague.