Despite their biological and socio-economic importance almost nothing is known about their biology, the level of harvesting and what effect this may be having. Preliminary works strongly suggests populations and even species may be threatened with extinction.

This project worked to identify the level of the problem, experiment into the feasibility of aquaculture and involve the harvesting villages in a discussion of how the sustainability of the harvest can be improved.

Jones, J. P. G., Andriahajaina, F. B., Hockley, N. J., Balmford, A. & Ravoahangimalala, O. R. (2005) A multidisciplinary approach to assessing the sustainability of freshwater crayfish harvesting in Madagascar. Conservation Biology, 19, 1863-1871.

Jones, J. P. G., Andriahajaina, F. B., Hockley, N. J., Crandall, K. A. & Ravoahangimalala., O. R. (2007) The ecology and conservation status of Madagascar’s endemic freshwater crayfish (Parastacidae; Astacoides) Freshwater Biology, 52, 1820-1833.

Jones, J. P. G., Andriahajaina, F. B., Ranambinintsoa, E. H., Hockley, N. J. & Ravoahangimalala, O. (2006) The economic importance of freshwater crayfish harvesting in Madagascar and the potential of community-based conservation to improve management. Oryx, 40, 168-175.

Jones, J. P. G. & Coulson, T. (2006) Population regulation and demography in a harvested freshwater crayfish from Madagascar. Oikos, 112, 602-611.

Jones, J. P. G., Hockley, N. & Andriahajaina, F. B. (2007) The potential of native species aquaculture to achieve conservation objectives: freshwater crayfish in Madagascar. International Journal of Biodiversity Science and Management, 3, 217-222.