Non-Native Crayfish Removal from Malibu Creek Watershed Mountains - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Non-Native Crayfish Removal from Malibu Creek Watershed Mountains - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Jan 10, 2024 128 likes •346 views

Non-Native Crayfish Removal from Malibu Creek Watershed Mountains Restoration Trust 2014 Committed to working in partnership with the community to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of the Santa Monica Mountains for the

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Non-Native Crayfish Removal from Malibu Creek Watershed

Mountains Restoration Trust 2014

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Committed to working in partnership with the community to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of the Santa Monica Mountains for the benefit of the environment and for present and future generations through land acquisition and conservation easements; habitat preservation and restoration; and research and education.

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Established in 1981 by the State Coastal Commission and the State Coastal Conservancy Became an Independent Non-Profit in 1984

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Acquisition Restoration Education

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Overview

  • Project funded by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
  • 4-year removal project that started in mid-June
  • Control of invasive Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)

population located in the Malibu Creek Watershed

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Background

  • Crayfish introduced into M.C.

watershed in early 20th century

  • Used as bait for sport fishing (best

guess)

  • Invasive species and a pest
  • Cause problems with native plants

and animals in the streams

http://eattheinvaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/pr_clarkii.gif

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Invasive Species

  • According to CDFW, “Invasive species are organisms (plants, animals,
  • r microbes) that are not native to an environment, and once

introduced, they establish, quickly reproduce and spread, and cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.”

  • USDA, CDFW, and several other organizations deal with management

and prevention of invasive species

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Why are they a problem?

  • Erosion
  • Burrowing behavior – excess sediment
  • Water Quality - Impairment
  • Competition for Resources
  • Predation of natives – Loss in Biodiversity
  • Crayfish will eat anything they can get their claws on
  • Eggs
  • Amphibians
  • Fish fry
  • Macroinvertebrates

www.appliedecology.co.uk

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How are we removing them?

  • Minnow Traps
  • Low impact on native reptiles and amphibians
  • Set out 24 hours before, keep out 24/7
  • Barriers
  • Set up every 100-150 yards
  • Prevent migration of crayfish to other parts of the stream
  • Seine Nets
  • Stragglers left over
  • Capture crayfish that avoid traps
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What happens to the Crayfish after?

  • Crayfish are humanely euthanized by

freezing

  • Crayfish then given to CDFW approved

wildlife rehabilitation center for feeding injured and recovering animals

http://argiopephoto.com/?page_id=155

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Logistics

  • Trapping 7 days a week
  • Trapping in 2 creeks so far
  • Las Virgenes Creek
  • Medea Creek
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Barriers

  • Polyester Netting
  • Zip Ties / Wire
  • T-post every 5 to 6 feet
  • Weights/Rocks
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What We Hope to Achieve

  • We want to have a low and

manageable population of crayfish

  • Greater population of

macroinvertebrates and healthy indicator species

  • Higher water quality
  • A reduction in the level of trash

in the streams

natureplayway.wordpress.com

www.mercurynews.com nathistoc.bio.uci.edu

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What we have done so far

  • Since the project inception (June 10th) we have removed over 428

pounds of trash and 27 pounds of recyclable materials

  • By removing trash we are taking additional steps in improving water quality
  • Removed >1,500 crayfish from 300 yards of stream in Las Virgenes

Creek

  • Accrued >1,000 volunteer hours from our youth program and

weekend activities

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What the Community Will See

  • We hope that this project improves the community in many ways…
  • Improve Water Quality
  • Less treatment needed for recycled and wastewater services
  • Sustain revenue generating recreational and tourism opportunities
  • Increase attractiveness of stream
  • Increase in property value
  • Return of native wildlife
  • Increase quality of life
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Community Action

  • We hope to get the Calabasas community involved in the restoration
  • f their streams
  • How can they help?
  • Educate others about the health of streams
  • Take part in an Adopt-a-Stream program
  • Join us at our weekend crayfishing events
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Adopt-a-Stream

  • Newly created program by

Mountains Restoration Trust

  • The Calabasas community can get

involved in restoring Las Virgenes creek

  • Groups select a section of stream

to restore by removing crayfish and trash

  • Workshops will be offered to train

project leaders

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Contact Information

  • Website: http://www.mountainstrust.org
  • E-mail with questions or comments:
  • Anders Reimer areimer@mountainstrust.org

Or

  • Kyle Troy ktroy@mountainstrust.org
  • Call us @ (818) 591-1701 extension 212