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In the UK the native crayfish are already severely threatened by invasive signal crayfish. I'm not sure if we have marble crayfish yet but if they breed that qu

In the UK the native crayfish are already severely threatened by invasive signal crayfish. I'm not sure if we have marble crayfish yet but if they breed that quickly it sounds very bad for the native crayfish - and maybe for the accidentally introduced signal crayfish too. There are various streams near me where you can go out in summer with a piece of bacon, some string and a box (maybe a net too) and catch signal crayfish. You don't need a permit as they're an invasive species - in fact you're not allowed to put them back if you catch any. (But do put them back if you catch the native species! The signal crayfish are larger and have big red claws with white flashes which give them their name.) edit: was writing my now largely redundant post as masklinn posted. I hadn't realised the Marmorkrebs were smaller - does that make them less of a threat? It does say they're already a problem for native species in Madagascar.

robthebrew 9y ago
I'm off to buy bacon right now! Any particular streams? Slow/fast moving? Mind you, given the temperature it might be more like ice fishing.
- coroxout 9y ago
  It appears I was mistaken and you do need a licence, though it's free. You should also ask the landowner's permission. I had thought you only needed the licence to set up traps, which I'd rather not myself as there's a risk of catching/injuring/killing other species, particularly native crayfish or otters. Sorry for the inaccurate post. Sadly it's too late to edit it or I'd put strikethrough all over it... More details about catching (mostly with traps) and licence details below. http://foragedfoods.co.uk/how-to-catch-signal-crayfish/ http://foragedfoods.co.uk/how-to-catch-signal-crayfish/ https://www.gov.uk/guidance/permission-to-trap-crayfish-eels-elvers-salmon-and-sea-trout#crayfish-trap-authorisation https://www.gov.uk/guidance/permission-to-trap-crayfish-eels... To answer your questions, I'd wait until at least spring; I've only been in summer. Not sure about speed or depth (I've seen them in fast shallow streams and in a slower metre-deep river) but they like lots of hiding places like rocks or overhangs.

robthebrew 9y ago

I'm off to buy bacon right now! Any particular streams? Slow/fast moving? Mind you, given the temperature it might be more like ice fishing.

coroxout 9y ago
It appears I was mistaken and you do need a licence, though it's free. You should also ask the landowner's permission. I had thought you only needed the licence to set up traps, which I'd rather not myself as there's a risk of catching/injuring/killing other species, particularly native crayfish or otters. Sorry for the inaccurate post. Sadly it's too late to edit it or I'd put strikethrough all over it... More details about catching (mostly with traps) and licence details below. http://foragedfoods.co.uk/how-to-catch-signal-crayfish/ http://foragedfoods.co.uk/how-to-catch-signal-crayfish/ https://www.gov.uk/guidance/permission-to-trap-crayfish-eels-elvers-salmon-and-sea-trout#crayfish-trap-authorisation https://www.gov.uk/guidance/permission-to-trap-crayfish-eels... To answer your questions, I'd wait until at least spring; I've only been in summer. Not sure about speed or depth (I've seen them in fast shallow streams and in a slower metre-deep river) but they like lots of hiding places like rocks or overhangs.