Background Noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) is an endangered endemic species in Europe and in Finland and is listed as ‘vulnerable’ in the IUCN red list. The last abundant native crayfish stocks in Europe are located in the southern and northern parts of Finland and Sweden. The crayfish plays a significant role in Finnish aquatic ecosystems. Stocks of the species have been collapsing over the last 150 years mainly because of crayfish plague, but also because of declining water quality, water construction and invasive species. As the main threats to noble crayfish stocks are caused by human activities, it is also possible for people to understand the risks and control them. The project is aiming to improve aquatic ecosystems and promote positive socio-economic effects by protecting crayfish stocks and promoting their sustainable exploitation – currently some 2-3 million crayfish are caught annually in Finland, where the species is of cultural, as well as environmental significance. Objectives The project’s main aim is to increase awareness among the general public and interest groups of the importance of native crayfish stocks to biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems. To this end, it will inform the public about the main threats to native crayfish stocks in Finland. Specific goals include: Enhancing understanding of the interactions between native and alien crayfish species; Improving the means of identifying native and alien species; Improving the means of prevention of the spread of pathogen crayfish plague; and In the long term, improving the status of noble crayfish stocks and preventing the accidental spreading of crayfish plague and alien crayfish. The project’s key message is that the native crayfish has a remarkable role to play as a part of biodiversity and aquatic ecosystem. This message ties together the three themes: i) crayfish plague is the biggest threat for noble crayfish; ii) noble crayfish requires conservation actions and iii) alien species pose a threat to native ones. Expected results: Several intensive information campaigns in different media will be produced including: Two information campaigns during the crayfish season (lasting two weeks in June-August – precise dates vary from year to year). These campaigns will include 15-20 seconds TV and radio bulletins presenting the project themes; 10-15 TV interviews or bulletins/year; 10-15 radio interviews or bulletins/year; 15 press releases/year; 1-2 articles in fisheries and nature journals; Information leaflets; A regularly-updated project website; Download of project material to 10-15 different websites with 10 000 visitors/year; Organisation of stakeholder meetings for a total of 3 000 people/year; and The drafting of several regional fisheries and crayfishing plans (5-10 plans for the key areas of crayfish stock management initiated annually).