The Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) wants the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality to do something about nuisance caused by American crayfish. A motion on this has been adopted by almost all municipalities: 98 percent voted in favor.
Actually, the American crayfish does not belong in the Netherlands, but the animals are common here. They are mainly located in Utrecht, North Holland and South Holland, writes the VNG.
The animal damages aquatic plants, expels fish species and there is a risk of contamination from a fungus they carry.
The lobsters also affect the built environment. For example, they cause major damage to flood defenses. “Wherever the subsurface is soft, they dig holes”, says Alderman Ad Jongenelen of the municipality of Langedijk. against NH News. “It is an invasive exotic, which is difficult to combat. The shores of the islands in the Oosterdel here are all falling prey to them.” Crayfish may also be related to the collapsed quay walls in Amsterdam, he says.
Rapid reproduction
There has been an attempt to fish for the crayfish, but according to Jongenelen that is not a structural solution. The animals reproduce very quickly. Moreover, the lobster has little or no natural enemies.
The motion that has been passed was an initiative of the municipalities of Langedijk and Heerhugowaard, NH Nieuws reports. Jongenelen: “We just all have to deal with it.”
The municipalities are asking for a task force before the end of the year. As far as Jongenelen is concerned, such a crayfish task force must also include the Union of Water Boards, other affected municipalities, experts and, for example, Wageningen University. “Together we are looking for an approach to combat or expel the lobsters. But without a ministry we cannot and are not allowed to do anything”, says Jongenelen.
–
