Sea Grant Illinois-Indiana
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File Size: 2.21 MB
Media Type:
White Papers | Technical Reports | SurveysPublication Number:
IISG24-HCE-TRP-004Pages:
34Description:
Invasive crayfish represent an ongoing threat to aquatic ecosystems in the Laurentian Great Lakes region, and one of the major pathways of introduction is through the sale of live organisms to consumers (i.e., organism-in-trade pathways). This study investigated the live trade of crayfish in the Great Lakes region through a survey of crayfish retailers to understand sale and utilization of crayfish, as well as retailer sentiments about conservation and environmental stewardship. A database of 617 retailers across eight Great Lakes states was compiled and 123 retailers were contacted for the survey. Sixteen retailers who sold crayfish through the aquarium and bait trades completed the survey. Findings revealed that retailers rely on their wholesalers for information about crayfish, signaling a critical need for increased outreach efforts directed towards these suppliers. Moreover, retailers expressed a need for clear and consistent communication regarding regulatory changes. The results underscore the importance of effective communication and education within the crayfish supply chain to mitigate the risk of future invasive crayfish introductions in the Great Lakes region.
Recommended Citation
Kohli, Aman; Martinez, Carlos; Hitzroth, Greg; O’Reilly, Katie; and Szklaruk, Natalia. 2024. “Retailer Perspectives on Invasive Crayfish in the Great Lakes.” Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Report: IISG24-HCE-TRP-004. https://www.iiseagrant.org/publications/retailer-perspectives-on-invasive-crayfish-in-the-great-lakes.