Environment Agency Stakeholder Brief: New shrimp found on Thames (31st October 2012)

The shrimp, Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, which is a relative of the ‘killer shrimp’, has been found on the River Thames between Romney lock (Windsor) and Bell Weir lock (Staines).

Photo © APEM Limited www.apemltd.co.uk

The sites are spread over a distance of approximately 10km. A programme of further investigations are underway to determine the extent of the distribution. This species was first discovered in the river Severn by APEM Ltd and now at other locations across the Midlands. Locations where it has been confirmed are the River Sowe, River Tame, River Trent near Nottingham, River Severn at Tewkesbury and at sites on the Worcester-Birmingham Canal and Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. While this new invasive shrimp species is related to the ‘killer shrimp’, we are uncertain at this stage what its impact might be. 

Photo © APEM Limited www.apemltd.co.uk

Until we have better information we will, as a precaution, treat it as a high impact species. An immediate assessment of the risks of this shrimp has been commissioned. The shrimp originates from the Ponto-Caspian region of Eastern Europe around Black Sea, and has invaded Western Europe largely as a result of a canal link created between the Danube and the Maine, a tributary of the Rhine, in 1992. It is one of approximately 20 invasive non-native species that are currently spreading via this route.

The Environment Agency is urging all water users to help slow the spread of this invasive species by helping publicise the bio-security advice available at Check Clean and Dry. All water users should check, clean and dry all their equipment after use, before using it at another location. Boat users must be particularly careful to ensure that boats and kayaks are drained, cleaned and dried.

Boat trailers must also be thoroughly cleaned after use. Anglers should ensure that nets and other equipment are cleaned and dried thoroughly.