Crayfish have been a highly endangered species since signal crayfish were brought to Sweden in the 1960s.
Signal crayfish carry crayfish plague, which they themselves are immune to, but which kill crayfish as soon as they are infected.
- The cancer plague is often spread through ignorance by people who release signal crayfish in different waters and precisely to reduce that risk, I believe that information and the dissemination of knowledge is important, says Tobias Borger who is a county fishing consultant at the County Administrative Board in Kalmar County.
Anglers help
But with the help of the new method, DNA tracking via the water, Tobias Borger hopes to be able to save the endangered species.
The samples show if there is signal crayfish in the water, without the need to find the specific crayfish.
The whole process is a collaboration with the Swedish Sport Fishing and Fisheries Conservation Association, which will collect samples and send for analysis.
On Öland, there are about 30 water areas where water samples are to be collected.
In the video above, you can hear more about the investment and its importance.