Crayfish trapping license

[m1.carson]

Hi,

I think if you look at modern nets they're supposed to be Otter proof, and to catch eels with wool was called eel balling, you wrapped a bunch of worms with lots of wool and their teeth got stuck in it, not the worms,the eels.

Max.

[Chiltern Chris]

Just to clear up the issue of whether or not the Environment Agency can legally withhold consent to trap crayfish; it can, as long as it has reasonable grounds. These grounds, under the Water Resources Act 1991 include the protection of any freshwater fishery and their duties under the Environment Act 1995 dictate that they must take into account any effects the trapping could have on flora or fauna when considering the application.

As for modern nets, in theory they should be Otter proof as the byelaws stipulate that they must be either by entrance size or by the retro fitting of Otter guards. However, that does not make them Water Vole proof and the illegal nets may have entrances of any size, hence the continuing problem of Otter by-catch.

Chris

[Melus]

I have recently been granted am EA licence to trap and remove American signals.
I'm fortunate that I can use the 'Scientific Study' element to trap and record the biometrics.
First exploratory session caught 26 americans in three EA approved traps. I did spend several hours noting Water Vole activity, holes etc so I hope I don't cause any unecessay vole casualties. I'm licenced for up to ten traps.
I have to destroy the catch, so I now have the crays purging themselves in fresh water. Never tried crayfish before but It's such a shame to waste them.

[Stewy]

Scoff them Melus, they are great eating, once cooked try twisting and pulling the middle tail flap and that should hopefully pull out the poop pipe with it.

[Vak_Draco]

Is There Any Trappers In Cheshire? According to the internet there are signals within 2miles of my doorstep. but according to the internet, elvis is still alive... I would love to help our native species, and i must say the idea of killing and eating the little sods doesnt really appeal greatly to me. i would only be conserving. whats the most humane way to kill them by the riverside? and how do i dispose of the remains without endangering other wildlife? if there are any trappers in cheshire who have/ wish to get a licence pm me. i shall be applying for a licence relativly soon. whats the best way to get one?

[Vak_Draco]

NBN Gateway - interactive species mapper

[Ecology Man]

I just wanted to add my two-penn'orth regarding the signal crayfish trapping issue.
Speaking as an ecologist who carries out survey work aimed at the conservation of the native white-clawed crayfish (as well as Otters and Water Voles), I've seen and caught my fair share of signals. Many of the important points about the risk of spreading signals and crayfish plague to new water bodies have been covered by other people. However, no one has mentioned the fact that it is complete rubbish that by catching and eating signals you can help to control their population. Neither traps nor fishing will catch the young ones, all you do is take away the large adults. As adults are often cannibalistic to young crayfish, you are actually increasing the survival chances of the young crayfish and thereby helping to perpetuate the population. Of course, if you are simply interested in eating wild food, that may not be a problem to you.

I am very concerned that this recent upsurge in interest in wild food, admirable though it is, WILL lead to an increase in the spread of this alien crayfish around Britain. I already know of a local mill pond that has had them introduced by fisherman using them as live bait. The dangerous thing is that there are two small populations of white-claws nearby - probably not for long! I also have several friends who, after watching Ray Mears scoffing cooked crayfish, are really keen to do the same and have asked me repeatedly where to find them. The problem is, they really don't care at all about the native crays, nor the issues that we have been talking about here. There are still large parts of Britain that have good populations of native crayfish, and they COULD remain, but only if people don't go wandering around randomly trapping signals, accidentally catching white-claws, and spreading the crayfish plague.

One of the reasons why the crayfish farms that started this whole problem all closed down was that there was little demand for crayfish - the signal crayfish doesn't actually taste that good! Is the extinction of yet another of our country's animals worth a bit of muddy tasting cray meat?

[Charles Halliday]

Hi Mate,

Well done for pointing out the potential danger of increasing signal populations by removing/eating the larger ones. I've heard other people make the similar statements, but not got round to looking into it. Do you know any papers? I know one venue in particular (keston ponds in kent) which would support this theory, but there may still be instances where it is beneficial for people to continue to remove signals for the pot (legally). I suppose it depends on whether a population of smaller signals is more or less likely to become locally extinct through predation than a population of mixed sizes? Also, I suppose it depends on whether smaller signals are less or more able to travel/invade neighbouring waters. My guess is that bigger ones are more mobile, but I may be wrong, particularly if movement is associated to flooding?

As a fisherman, I'm getting a little bit tired of us lot being blamed for the spread of crayfish plague and for the spread of signals. I accept that SOME fishermen may occasionally play a negative role, but crayfish issues have been a hot topic in the angling press for quite some time and most of us anglers on the river are very responsible and equally concerned about the plight of the white claw crayfish (its true!). Mammals such as Otters, watervoles, Mink, dogs, dog walkers, canoeists, aquatic ecologists as well as a multitude of birds are all presumably helping to spread crayfish plague and signals. Incidentally, I know of one river where signals and crayfish have co-existed for a number of years - I would love to know what the status is now, but it seems that the 'scientists' have absolutely no want in sharing their findings with the public. If things are ever going to change, then the professionals need to get off their high moral horses, have more faith in the public and get them educated and involved. Stick a camera or get a journalist in front of them and they can't stop talking. Phone them up yourself and they have absolutely nothing to say....

As far as I was aware, there are no longer a 'GOOD populations of native crayfish in LARGE parts of Britain' - at least not in the areas where populations of both co-exist and not in locations where people might wander about trapping crayfish indiscriminately.

Ultimately, I think that its an issue of location. For example, I think I'd be right in saying 'bon appetite' to anyone wanting to do some trapping in the Thames Catchment and 'Careful mate!' to someone wanting to trap in the Bristol Avon Catchment. If you can prove me wrong, then all the more credit to you since you've already made some good points.

[m1.carson]

Hi,

LIDL do a nice tub of crayfish tails for less than £1-50, a lot less hassle than catching, cleaning and cooking them yourself, and, after you've tried them, you'll wonder why anybody want's to eat them in the first place, the novelty of it I suppose.

I've tried most shellfish and crayfish tails end up at the bottom of the list.

Try before you fish.

Max.

[Emily-Jane]

Im interesting in catching crayfish i live near the kennet and avon cannal near reading anyone know if they are present in this stretch of river? or the river thames that runs through caversham?would i need a licence also could i just put my traps anywhere on public lands or.....?

any info much appreciated

[Emily-Jane]

I suppose it is the novelty, does it not taste like lobster?

[angiexlester]

Two years ago i got all excited and bought a trap, got the forms ,spoke to the environment agency, filled all the forms in and eventually got told no.

They stated there was no signal population in the river Sow, Stafford, but i could always ask around at the local fish farms.

Gutted : (


If anyone out there knows of any where in my area they may be feel free to drop me an e-mail and i'll try the whole process again!

[angiexlester]

Emily,

The way i have it is that if you catch them by hand you can get as many as you want, but to lay a trap you need a licence, if you look in one of the posts above there should be a link to the environment agency website where you should be able to downlaod the forms, or the very least get an e-mail address for your local officer...

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by m1.carson

Hi,

LIDL do a nice tub of crayfish tails for less than £1-50, a lot less hassle than catching, cleaning and cooking them yourself, and, after you've tried them, you'll wonder why anybody want's to eat them in the first place, the novelty of it I suppose.

I've tried most shellfish and crayfish tails end up at the bottom of the list.

Try before you fish.

Max.

Waitrose do a lovely wild crayfish sandwich with a lemon mayo dressing..Yummy.