Abstract

Free-flowing water is thought to be of importance for reproduction and body growth of noble crayfish, Astacus astacus (Linnaeus), in the northern edge of its distribution area. A hydroelectric power plant with a bypass tunnel was built in the River Ljungan, Sweden, in 1976. This reduced the mean water flow in the old river bed from about 60 m3 s-1 to 3 m3 s-1. The sites with the largest reduction of water flow had the largest decline in catch per unit effort of crayfish. At one site the catches were reduced by > 60%, but the catch success varied between locations. At all sites, water regulation seemed to have an effect, even though catch per unit effort was possibly affected by a number of other factors.

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