Background This project targeted the white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) and was implemented over a wide area of the eastern side of the central Apennines. In the last decades the range of this species, which is present in several other European countries and is considered of community importance, has generally contracted. The species had become locally extinct and several populations had become rare. Habitat degradation, illegal poaching, introduction of exotic species and disease are among the main threats to the viability of the species. Another particular feature of this crustacean is its high susceptibility to water pollution. For this reason it is considered a good biological indicator of the quality of water in rivers and streams where it is found. The importance of the project, managed by Chieti province, is in the fact that it involved six other provinces in the three Italian regions Abruzzo, Molise and Marche. These areas are thought to host about 20% of the national population of this crayfish. This project is complementary to a similar one co-financed by LIFE-nature in Lombardy region in the north of Italy in 2000 (LIFE00NAT/IT/007159). Objectives The main purpose of the project was the conservation of the white-clawed crayfish in central Italy through the implementation of a reintroduction programme. Over 5 000 crayfish would be released into rivers within some 30 sites of community importance (SCIs). The sites would be selected on the basis of environmental analyses carried out in each river to assess their suitability for the species. The specimens to be released would be raised and bred in two breeding centres at two different locations. Live specimens to be used as breeding material would be taken in the wild after assessment of the source population. Once released, the rate of growth and health status of the new populations and water quality would be regularly monitored in order to evaluate the success of the operations. Other actions foreseen were the preparation and adoption of an action plan for the species within the seven provinces involved, a training course for technicians, meetings with the administrations involved, surveillance and a number of awareness raising activities. In particular, an information campaign aimed at local communities of the ecological consequences of alien species would be carried out, to help prevent the release and the spread of exotic crayfish species. The reintroduced crayfish populations would provide a basis for sustainable management of the species in the whole area. Results The reintroduction of crayfish was carried out successfully. Over 4 400 young individuals and 277 adult individuals were released in 18 SCIs of the Abruzzo, Molise and Marche Regions (central Italy). The technical difficulties encountered in the crayfish breeding were overcome during the project implementation and two crayfish breeding centres were established. The restocking populations were monitored and surveillance activities were carried out in order to reduce poaching. A Crayfish Action Plan was elaborated and adopted by all provinces involved in the project. Dissemination activities were carried out and high-quality products were produced – providing very useful nature documentary. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).