The Province of Ontario is clamping down on invasive species, introducing ten new plants and animals capable of destroying local ecosystems to the Invasive Species Act at the start of 2024.

The list of newly prohibited and restricted species includes a range of flora and fauna, including giant rat-like animals and multiple genera of crayfish — a species of freshwater crustacean that closely resembles a lobster.

The Procambarus genus of crayfish (with 161 known species) as well as the Pacifastacus genus (four living species) are now illegal to import, possess, deposit, release, transport, propagate, buy, sell, lease or trade as of January 1, 2024.

While considered a delicacy, crayfish can be quite problematic when not in their native ecosystems or on a plate drenched in butter.

The province notes that these species of crayfish compete with native crayfish populations for food and shelter.

A few species of invasive crayfish have already been introduced to Ontario lakes, rivers and streams, competing for food sources with native species with the potential to displace and extirpate established species.

Other species of crayfish were already banned in the province prior to the new additions at the start of the year. The most prolific of these is rusty crayfish, which has already caused issues in Ontario lakes and waterways with its rapid reproduction rates.

Hundreds of crayfish spotted at Etobicoke Valley Park - 📹 m1ssk0rea https://t.co/zrQIau6AyF #Toronto #Etobicoke #EtobicokeValleyPark #Crayfish pic.twitter.com/6W1kTPWSln

— blogTO (@blogTO) October 19, 2020

More recently, the province prohibited the Marbled Crayfish, which is also under the umbrella of the broader Procambarus genus prohibited across the board since Jan. 1.

This mutant species is perhaps the most threatening of the bunch due to its asexual self-replicating abilities, which earned it a specific placement in the Invasive Species Act in 2022.

Spreading across lakes, ponds, and waterways across the continent 😳 https://t.co/gTQWcw2Flw #Ontario #Crayfish #Invasive #InvasiveSpecies

— blogTO (@blogTO) September 28, 2023

Invasive species, in general, were estimated to cause up to $3.6 billion per year in impacts on agriculture, fisheries, forestry, healthcare, tourism and the recreation industry, according to a 2019 report by the Invasive Species Centre.

The latest bans are being welcomed by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and its Invading Species Awareness Program.

Angelo Lombardo, Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, says that the federation and its invasive species program "are pleased to see the addition of 10 new prohibited and restricted species under the Invasive Species Act."

A total of 42 species are now listed under Ontario's Invasive Species Act, more than any other province in the country.