Cray it ain’t so!

The outbreak is affecting crayfish on the River Blackwater and the detection of crayfish plague causative agent has also been confirmed in the River Awbeg and Spa Glen Stream which are within the extensive Blackwater River catchment. The disease is harmless to people, pets, livestock, and all other freshwater organisms, however it is extremely deadly to crayfish.

The white-clawed crayfish is a globally threatened species and Ireland holds one of the largest surviving populations. The animal is the only native freshwater crayfish species found in Ireland. Crayfish plague was first discovered in Ireland in 2015 in county Cavan and has spread to several other rivers across the country. However, this is the first recorded outbreak of the deadly crayfish plague in Cork.

Given the experience of outbreaks elsewhere, a total kill of the crayfish population is expected which will have major consequences for the ecology of the Blackwater, Awbeg and the whole of Munster Blackwater catchment.

There is no indication of how crayfish plague reached the Blackwater catchment, but the disease is easily transmitted in water or via contaminated equipment such as kayaks, waders or nets.

The situation is being monitored by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the Marine Institute and independent ecologists.