In the last week of April, the Center for Reproduction of White-clawed Crayfish in Molí de les Fonts in Olot, crayfishes have begun to be born this year.

The center breeds this species since 2005 to strengthen populations afected by the presence of the fungal disease of crayfish plague introduced by crayfish species of American origin present in our rivers . The crayfish plague, when it reaches a river section cause mortality of almost the entire population of white-clawed Crayfish present in the area. The studies conducted so far suggest that white-clawed Crayfish (Austropotamobus pallipes) will survive only by developing the same immunity that has allowed American species to resist the disease. In this regard, the fundamental task of the breeding center in Molí de les Fonts is to strength persistently new crab populations affected by lengthening the period of contact with the disease in the species until they develop immune mechanisms. In this struggle against time, it is important to achieve maximum reproductive efficiency to strengthen the most of these populations of crayfish increasingly scarce in the few catalans rivers where the species of alien crayfish have not yet reached them. In these circumstances, the inclusion of this species in the European program, LIFE Potamo Wildlife and conservation of endangered species of fauna river has enabled the incorporation of improvements in handling and experimental management of crayfish in the center installed at the Molí de les Fonts in Olot. During 2014-2015 the project has resulted in a significant increase in productivity breeding of the species.

The long period extending from November, when the females lay there, until they hatch in late April, represents the conditions of captivity, a constant risk of loss of eggs because of the Saprolegnia (a fungus that affects the eggs) and own problems that can find the females in this long period of time. Therefore, based on the experience accumulated in the years of operation of this facility managed by the Natural Park of Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa, Forestal Catalana, in co-operation of the City of Olot, through funds LIFE Potamo Fauna, have been testing improvements in plant breeding facilities to increase the quality and condition of the water and habitat, which have allowed a significantly raise productivity in the breeding females of this species.

This new generation of crayfish born in Molí de les Fonts will continue, during the month of September with renewed strength, the work of strengthening to increase the population of white-footed crayfish populations of rivers Muga, Ter and Fluvià and thus maintain the hope of avoiding the extinction of this species essential for our river ecosystems.