Officials are on alert after the rusty crawfish shows up near the Colorado River

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Discovers Invasive Crayfish Species in Lake Granby

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) recently announced the discovery of an invasive crayfish species in Lake Granby. The rusty crayfish, known for its reddish spots on its shell, has not been seen in the state for over a decade. CPW is highly concerned about the proximity of Lake Granby to the Colorado River and is now focused on preventing the further spread of the crayfish.

Threat to Native Species and Aquatic Ecosystem

The rusty crayfish is an aggressive species that outcompetes native species for resources. Additionally, it is not a suitable prey species for sportfish. Robert Walters, CPW’s invasive species program manager, stated that the invaders consume small fish, insects, and fish eggs, disrupting the aquatic food web. They also feed on plants at the bottom of the reservoir, which serve as critical habitat for fish spawning and food for native wildlife.

Possible Introduction by Irresponsible Angler

CPW believes that an irresponsible angler may have brought the rusty crayfish to Lake Granby using it as live bait. It is important to note that crayfish are not legal as bait in Colorado. Crayfish of any species are not native west of the continental divide, and CPW emphasizes that all crayfish caught west of the divide must be immediately killed or returned to their original water source.

Concerns about Red Swamp Crayfish Importation

CPW has been actively addressing the issue of crayfish. In August, the agency held a meeting to consider bans on the import and possession of live red swamp crayfish. Although red swamp crayfish are not found in the wild in Colorado, thousands of pounds of the species are illegally imported into the state each week. These efforts are crucial in preventing the introduction of invasive species.

Rusty Crayfish Sightings in the West

Rusty crayfish sightings are relatively rare in the arid West. Wyoming wildlife officials are on high alert after recording nine rusty crayfish discoveries since 2003, with the most recent sighting in 2021. Data from the U.S. Geological Survey shows two sightings in Nevada in 2016 and one discovery in New Mexico in 1989.

Impact of Rusty Crayfish as an “Ecosystem Engineer”

Rochelle Sturtevant, the program manager for the Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, has studied the impact of rusty crayfish in the Midwest. She describes the species as an “ecosystem engineer” due to its ability to cause structural changes. The burrowing behavior of rusty crayfish affects plant communities, leading to significant ecological transformations.

Importance of Preventing Spread and Protecting Native Species

Sturtevant emphasizes the importance of stopping the spread of rusty crayfish, as native crayfish species in the Great Lakes region struggle to coexist with them. Rusty crayfish outcompete native species wherever they appear, posing a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

This story is part of ongoing coverage of water in the West, produced by KUNC in Colorado and supported by the Walton Family Foundation. KUNC is solely responsible for its editorial coverage.

Copyright 2023 KUNC. To see more, visit KUNC.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water – The article discusses the impact of the invasive crayfish species on the aquatic food web and native wildlife.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – The article highlights the threat posed by the invasive crayfish species to native crayfish populations and the overall ecosystem.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible – The article mentions the impact of the invasive crayfish species on fish populations and the disruption of the aquatic food web.
• SDG 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species – The article discusses the efforts of Colorado Parks and Wildlife to prevent the spread of the invasive crayfish species.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• No specific indicators are mentioned in the article. However, potential indicators for measuring progress towards SDG 14.4 could include monitoring fish population levels, assessing the health of the aquatic food web, and tracking the spread of invasive species. For SDG 15.8, indicators could include monitoring the presence and distribution of invasive species, assessing the success of prevention and control measures, and tracking the impact of invasive species on native ecosystems.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: kuer.org

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