I have just been made aware of the recent correspondence regarding
Chinese Mitten Crabs. With respect to their occurrence in Yorkshire the
first record that I am aware of is from Southfields Reservoir, a feeder
reservoir to the South Yorkshire Canal system. This record was in 1949!
The next records date from 1986 when specimens were cought by ell
netsmen on the River Wharfe/Ouse near Cawood in North Yorkshire.
further reports were received in 1991, 1992, 1993 form the same
location.
In 1995 a specimen was caught in the New Junction Canal close to the
location of the 1949 record.
The crab is also found regularly forom the River Ancholme, on the south
bank of the Humber Estuary, records here data back to 1976.
The spread of this species into Germany, Belgium, Denmark and France
is documented in Panning A. 1938. Annual report of the Board of the
Regents of the Smithsonian Institution . pp361-375 with 9 plates.
With trade between this part of Europe and the Humber ports it has been
assumed that the route to the Humber and Yorkshire River system has
been via Ballst water form merchant shipping.
All records of the crab in the area have been in the period July to
October, Most have been adult specimens , both male and female and it
is likely that they were attempting to return to the brackish water of the
estuary to breed.
So far there does not appear to be any evidence of large populations in
the Yorkshire river systems but I am always interested in receiving
information of any sightings or catches.
Brian Hemsley-Flint
Environment Agency (Northeast Region)
Phoenix House
Global Avenue
LEEDS LS11 8PG
Tel 0113 213 4836
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