Signal Crayfish

[notbrazil]

Signal crayfish everywhere! I went for a quick scuba dive the other night in the River Dibb near Bolton Abbey and astonished to see the sheer numbers of signal crayfish on the river bed. I was at about 6m. Every rock, nook and cranny was crawling with them.

As I have a penchant for shellfish I duely removed about 20 of them in a bag and froze immmediately, aware of how they can release eggs if relocated. Maybe I need a license to do this but who cares? There were literally hundreds upon hundreds. Quite scary.

They are very agressive when approached and will nip. They can actually shoot forward and backwards in mid water making the heart skip a beat on occasion.

I have reported to EA who said that nothing much can be done, but to my knowledge the Finnish government ran a successful culling campaign to halt their spread there. Surely we can do something considering these buggers are eating fish eggs, eels, our native crayfish and can tunnel 1.5m into riverbanks causing a honeycomb effect which has collapsed banks.

[nightshade]

You could eat them all yourself this is a case for ecological balance an otter or two!

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by notbrazil

Went for a quick scuba dive the other night in the River Dibb near Bolton Abbey. I was absolutely astonished to see the sheer numbers of American signals on the river bed. I was at about 6m. Every rock, nook and cranny was crawling with them.

As I have a penchant for shellfish I duely removed about 20 of them in a bag and froze immmediately, aware of how they can release eggs if relocated. Maybe I need a license to do this but who cares? There were literally hundreds upon hundreds. Quite scary.

They are very agressive when approached and will nip. They can actually shoot forward and backwards in mid water making the heart skip a beat on occasion.

I have reported to EA who said that nothing much can be done, but to my knowledge the Finnish government ran a successful culling campaign to halt their spread there. Surely we can do something considering these buggers are eating fish eggs, eels, our native crayfish and can tunnel 1.5m into riverbanks causing a honeycomb effect which has collapsed banks.

You might get lynched for saying that here lol. I have to agree though but if they are all removed we would have one less thing thats free to eat!

[notbrazil]

I would like to see what argument PC Wildlife Plod could come up with to stop me eating them. I'm going to fill the freezer at the weekend.

[Airehead]

Originally Posted by notbrazil

I would like to see what argument PC Wildlife Plod could come up with to stop me eating them..

You might find out if you insist on being so public. For example, I am closely in touch with a bailiff of the Grassington stretch, Consider this as a friendly caution, not a threat.

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by Airehead

You might find out if you insist on being so public. For example, I am closely in touch with a bailiff of the Grassington stretch, Consider this as a friendly caution, not a threat.

I knew it lol

[notbrazil]

With respect to Airehead I understand to a degree where you are coming from but, lets face it, the current law states that if you see one report it to the EA. In doing so the EA make a note and do sweet FA. Some of us, like me, are keen conservationists and have been for some time. Scuba diving has merely made me appreciate and understand an environment I don't get to get misconceptions about on a daily basis.

So, explain this. Three years ago when I went for a leisure dive in the same area I was playing with trout. On Tuesday there were NONE. Not a single one. And this is the time of year all the little fellas should be darting about.

Every single rock had a nipper under it. You know where I'm talking about. At the back of the hole at about 5m I gently lifted a big boulder and here must have been 50 baby signal's under it.

I took a lot of care with what I did and have thought about it again and again and I'm buggered if I'm going to sit back and allow these things just to sit there and eat all around them. I'll write to the Yorkshire Post. I'll do whatever.

Leave the armoured Yanks to the Lebanon or wherever else they want to go but leave my local rivers alone. Anyway, what's wrong with responsibly eating them anyway? Would you rather go to Morrisons?

[Airehead]

[quote=notbrazil]With respect to Airehead [quote]

Never said I didn't agree with you, notbrazil, just that you are exposing yourself!

And I wish I could find some trout - but right at this moment the weather is not doing them any good. And it would be just our luck for warmer summers to be exactly what s. crayfish enjoy.

[notbrazil]

Exposing myself to what exactly? Protecting my local environment from a complete infestation and satisfying my culnary desires at the same time? There should be plenty of trout in that river just like there was 3 years ago in similar weather conditions. They released a load of salmon a few years ago downstram at Bolton Abbey and they have never made it passed Burnsall. I wonder why?

[Airehead]

notbrazil, I capitulate. Your questions are far too complex for me.

Just 2 points -
I agree that EA don't respond.
No, I would not go to Morrison's. Morrison does not like anglers but he sells fish. I am certainly not going to buy them from him.

[notbrazil]

Excellent retort Airehead. Respect.

[Dan Salter]

Have just seen a story about these on Gordon Ramseys F word...

It seems you can obtain a free licence from the environment agency and catch these tasty invaders and eat them to your hearts content !

But now im torn? My conservation side hopes my local rivers and waterways have not been invaded yet?
My lover of shellfish side and the good cook in me hopes the rivers near me are teaming so i can get a license and feed myself free until the cooler weather comes?

[torsen]

any rivers nearer to york where the signals are on the increase? just seen a feature on tv regarding the us invaders and how tasty they are. thinking about investing in a crayfish pot.
with regards the crayfish plague they spread - presume that wouldn't affect consumption?

cheers

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by notbrazil

I would like to see what argument PC Wildlife Plod could come up with to stop me eating them. I'm going to fill the freezer at the weekend.

They are not protected as they are a foreign invader and thus not subject to the crow act provisions - so long as you kill them in a humane manner so that you dont fall foul of the animal cruelty laws, and take care not to spread them to avoid messing with the EA I think it is doubtful that the old bill will care

If you dont have permission I supose you could be technically guilty of poaching, but that would require a complaint from the landowner who probably doesnt give a flip - The boys in blue almost certainly have more important things to worry about than illict crayfish eating.

I doubt that Airehead can grass you up either - unless you know each other, as it is likely that the cops would need a bit more in the way of ID than just a forum pseodonym

Fill your boots and happy munching (try em with butter and lemon) - if we all followed your example perhaps we could wipe out the blighters.

[Gill Catton]

what we need is the mink to eat the signal crayfish and the the ptters to drive out the mink - sorted!

BTW if you do a search on WAB with the word 'crayfish' you'l find the opinion of our resident Wildlife Liason Officer......

[Gill Catton]

what we need is the mink to eat the signal crayfish and the the ptters to drive out the mink - sorted!

BTW if you do a search on WAB with the word 'crayfish' you'l find the opinion of our resident Wildlife Liason Officer in the thread of the same name......

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

what we need is the mink to eat the signal crayfish and the the ptters to drive out the mink - sorted!

BTW if you do a search on WAB with the word 'crayfish' you'l find the opinion of our resident Wildlife Liason Officer in the thread of the same name......

So good you had to say it twice

Incidentally did our resident WLO ever answer my question about what specific laws (if any) those who eat signals are breaking ? (if he did its not on that thread)

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by eeyore

So good you had to say it twice

Incidentally did our resident WLO ever answer my question about what specific laws (if any) those who eat signals are breaking ? (if he did its not on that thread)

dunno don't think so..... I'm not certain it is breaking the law..... more against best practice - there's always a risk I suppose in moving the animals about, particularly if there's lots as described - and you tell your friends - and they catch some to eat and some to sell to pubs - and then there's a market - so someone buys in some signals to breed and sticks them in his pond - and they escape into nearby watercourses........

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

dunno don't think so..... I'm not certain it is breaking the law..... more against best practice - there's always a risk I suppose in moving the animals about, particularly if there's lots as described - and you tell your friends - and they catch some to eat and some to sell to pubs - and then there's a market - so someone buys in some signals to breed and sticks them in his pond - and they escape into nearby watercourses........

As convention dictates - I love you Gill ( )...... but i dont agree with you this time - if there are loads arround then a few escapes wont make any difference QED

The more of the things get eaten the better in my book, the only hazard i can see id the egg release issue and notbrazil covered precautions against that in his first post. A lot of landowners licence people to catch them so there is already a market.

Any I catch have no chance of getting sold to pubs, they go straight in the freezer for my own consumption.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by eeyore

As convention dictates - I love you Gill ( )...... but i dont agree with you this time - if there are loads arround then a few escapes wont make any difference QED

The more of the things get eaten the better in my book, the only hazard i can see id the egg release issue and notbrazil covered precautions against that in his first post. A lot of landowners licence people to catch them so there is already a market.

Any I catch have no chance of getting sold to pubs, they go straight in the freezer for my own consumption.

Well it was the few escapes that started the problem in the first place........

Oh I might be tempted to catch a few perhaps - because I too know the risks and would take great care- not sure I'd tell anyone about it though because they might not be so well versed in the problems and might perpetuate the situation. - which should really be avioded at all costs

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

they might not be so well versed in the problems and might perpetuate the situation. - which should really be avioded at all costs

no argument there, My favoured approach is to use the electrofishing gear to stun them and pickem off the surface - or to just paddle about in the weir picking them up - we have so many in the ouse that local magpies and carion crows have started doing the latter too

[Signal Slurper]

Hi - New to here, but not Crayfish . .

First - be ABSOLUTEY sure they are Signals. Very dark brown - NO pits in their shell - underside of their claws are RED and underside of their body has a blueish hue.

If so - there are 2 ways to proceed:

1/ Go onto http://www.efishbusiness.co.uk/ and download the FR2 form

This will allow you to apply for a license from the EA to catch/trap crayfish. Identify the species by latin name and state reasons for catching (conservation and personal consumption I suggest). And state the water you will be using. THEN get the water owners permission. Once you get your license back - you are legal and can trap, keep and eat the lil'blighters ! (They taste OK from the Basingstoke canal - which is filthy ! So anywhere with fresher water they should be stonking !). Remember though - ANY you land must NEVER go back into the water - regardless of size.

2/ Whilst doing the above - as you are a diver - carefully catch 5-10 LARGE ones. Place them in a water tight container with FRESH/TAP water for 24 hours at least - preferrably 48 (although mine tend to start dying after 24 hours - maybe chlorine in tap water?). Then - bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add salt and a bouquet garnie - and maybe soem fish stok and garlic. Place the crayfish on ice for approx 30 mins to dull their senses - doesn't make a taste difference, but I find it easier on the soul to humanely kill them. .

Add to the boiling pot and bring back to the boil. Boild for 3 mins - then leave in the water for another 2.

Peel and eat ! Great with garlic and parsley butter - or just lemon mayo !

All this and you are being a conservationalist too !!!!

The Signal Slurper

[honeybee]

I thought they had to be rounded up if found because of the disease they pass on to other aquatic life. We found a small stream fed lake full of them and the EA were very quick to trap them after we reportd it. I have seen on TV where some were caught and taken to a wildlife centre and kept in a tank and I've also heard of them being sold to restaurants.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by honeybee

I thought they had to be rounded up if found because of the disease they pass on to other aquatic life.

they do in theory but there are so many of them now that it is an augean stables type task and many land owners have pretty much given up trying , hence the EA trapping licence scheme. The disease (well fungus) they carry is lethal to our native crays which is the principal reason for their reduction in numbers.

signals also do significant damage to river banks etc by creating honeycomb like burrows which lead to bank collapse and errosion.

[honeybee]

In that case everyone who sees them should catch them! I know they're quite feisty blighters from catching them in nets. Being vegetarian I wouldn't want them eaten but there's not a lot else you could do with them. I've heard it's most humane to put crabs in the freezer for a hour before cooking as it puts them to sleep.