Invasive crayfish pose a substantial threat to aquatic habitats in the Great Lakes region because of their ability to reduce habitat quality and dramatically alter aquatic food webs. Currently, efforts to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive crayfish consist largely of reducing the size of existing populations and encouraging people to refrain from releasing crayfish into new bodies of water. The Invasive Crayfish Collaborative (ICC) focuses on improving upon our collective management and outreach capabilities.

ICC brings industry, science, and land management stakeholders together to improve management of invasive crayfish in the Great Lakes region. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and the Illinois Natural History Survey oversee and facilitate ICC, with funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. 

ICC’s goals will be defined by the needs of its members. These goals are being identified through a needs assessment being conducted by IISG in conjunction with social scientists at the Illinois Natural History Survey.