The Environment Agency has published its list of the Top 10 non native invasive species which are spreading throughout UK waters and threatening native wildlife species.

The American Signal Crayfish and Top Mouth Gudgen are the main threats for the North West. The Agency said it is determined to put a stop to the spread of these species.

The Top Mouth Gudgen has been completely eradicated from Cumbria following an intensive operation to remove them from lakes, tarns and rivers. Since their removal in 2006, there have been no further sightings of this species within the county.

The Agency is also continuing to monitor populations of the American signal crayfish and is working with landowners and angling clubs to survey and monitor waters to see where the American Signal Crayfish are living and explore ways in which we can stop these species spreading.  Over the next few weeks,  Environment Agency officers will be out surveying rivers in Lancashire to explore ways in which the species can be eradicated in a safe and controlled way.  
 
In addition to this to help re-colonise waters throughout the North West, the Agency has now established a successful breeding project in North Yorkshire where the native British crayfish are hatched and re-introduced to invasive free waters.

The latest new alien species to British waters, the “Killer Shrimp”, has so far only been detected in Cambridgeshire and parts of Wales, but the Agency said it was keeping a close eye on the waters around the North West to make sure it doesn’t travel North.

In May this year, officers were at Marbury Country Park, Cheshire checking for signs of the killer shrimp. These shrimps are from South East Europe and can have a serious impact on  native wildlife in rivers, lakes and streams.

Steve Molyneux for the Environment Agency said:

“Officers from across the region are out on the ground trying to put a stop to the invasion of these species which can spread diseases, and threaten to take over and wipe out our native British wildlife. We are working with landowners, angling clubs, and community groups to work together to eradicate the threat they pose in a safe and controlled way.

“River water quality in the North West is the best it's been since before the industrial revolution . To protect our precious native species, we need to continue to act to make sure these non native species don’t make the North West their new home.
 
“ We would urge everyone to help stop the spread of these species by making sure that any boating or fishing equipment is cleaned before moving between waterways. “