Signal Crayfish

[notbrazil]

Hi Maf

It was actually the Wharf - the bit where the kids dive in from the cliff - that water hole. It is rammed (and I mean rammed) with them. Every stone, every nook, every cranny. Not a single native in sight. I've had thoughts of going back but I've had nightmares about it. Looking back, they were the most vicious species I have ever encountered underwater.

I have done my uttmost in alerting the EA etc. They themselves have been OK, it's just Bolton Abbey Estates that couldn't give a toss. I have applied to fish for them 3 times. The first was to dive for them (ie by hand). Computer Says No. Second application was to use a crayfish trap. Computer Says No. Third time I thought I'd test their reslove and said I was going to extract them using an ancient Aboriginal leaf-rubbing technique. After a fashion the computer didn't really know what to say so they sent me back a copy of my second rejection. At this point I gave up which I assume is exactly what they wanted me to do.

If I'm hungry and the shops are closed, I know exactly where to go and it'll take a brave man to stop me.

[marktench]

got loads of them round this way as well the thames in oxford and the thame went fishing a couple of years ago and had to give up in the end ever cast signal crayfish. but the was a young lad with hes dad and they had 2 bucket falls which they where selling to the the restaurant for a £1 each.

[elmodiddly]

This being my first post, Good Morning, the cards behind the bar.

I've recently got interested in the crayfish troubles after several reports around my area, Staffordshire, and being a Chef I was obviously very interested in both aspects, food and conservation.

Whilst buying traps and doing my bit for control and increasing the culinary palette of my family I am slightly distraught by the regulations laid down in the face of ancient stupidity that no-one is bothered to correct.

The fact that the Crayfish is legally a fish is kinda stupid considering their biological classification is somewhat different to just being a fish!
Anyway, having researched the ins and out's, no wonder the signal crayfish are a problem, they are so hard to get permission to catch. Every single time I intend to lay a trap I have to fill in a FR2 and submit it to the fisheries agency.

Have I misunderstood this or is this really the day and age of buracratic nonsense we live in?

[Cazzie]

Here's one of many hundreds we found further up the River Wharfe at Linton Falls....



and just look at all the eggs on this one!



I certainly can't understand all the beaurocratic nonsense considering they are 'invaders' - I'd eat them given half the chance!

[ianmandy]

A size 12 boot is the best thing for them. If i catch them when fishing I stamp on it. Never ever through them back.

[notbrazil]

Ian

Not a good idea to stand on them. Seriously. They're a bit like cockroaches and will release eggs. I know it sounds daft but your better throwing them back than standing on them. They can live out of water for months not even requiring a nearby waterway in weather such as we have now. It will be interesting to see what effect recent flooding has had.

Best thing to do is take them away in a bucket of riverwater and transfer straight to freezer.

[ianmandy]

Probably right Notbrazil but it makes me feel better. When your bait gets nicked and you get false bits all day its a great for tension .

[m1.carson]

OOPs, notbrazil,

Didn't I read somewhere that it's illegal to throw them back !

Max.

[m1.carson]

Hi,

Is it me or is there an upcock in the licensing laws ?, you need an FS2 license to catch them for "conservation" but fishermen, who seem to catch them anyway only need a rod licence AND are breaking the law IF they return them to the water. presumably they have to take them home.

Max.

[notbrazil]

Yeh, it really is a load of rubbish. I have a rod license but can't catch them. If I do catch them I can't take them away. So, I guess I am just to stay on the riverbank suspended in limbo until I fall over and die. I have a good mind to get a few thousand of them (and we all know how easy it is to do that) and put them in the cisterns of the bogs at the EA.

I have filled the forms in 3 times and am not allowed to catch them. I have written to Bolton Abbey Estates twice but have not had a reply.

I was in W Cork last week and with virtually every cast I was catching a fish. I asked about Signal Reds even though it was obvious there were none about due to the high fish stocks. There are natives but not many of those either.