Forum Topic

Crayfish

I have advised that the waterways in and around Brentford are teeming with the American invader - the Red Signal Crayfish and was wondering if any of you fishermen and women know of a suitbale place around Brentford in which I can trap these little critters. I am getting an approved EA crayfish trap and before I get the appropriate license I have to stipulate the waterway in which I am going to catch them. Is there an angling / fishing club that allows individuals to trap these critters aroudn Brentford and if so, could someone please let me know who I have to contact to gain permission?

Andrew Smith ● 5508d11 Comments

Hi, thank you for that I'll give it a go. I just can't believe how much red tape I have to go through to catch these little blighters.

Andrew Smith ● 5504d

Andrew, there were reports a year or two ago that these crayfish were 'attacking' the land which is part of Chiswick Eyot just off Chiswick Mall. Not sure if this is still the case but it might be worth searching the W4 website or speaking to some local residents.

Kevin Farnan ● 5504d

Thank you for that, but in my initial post I've already said that I need to get a license from the EA to trap the little blighters. In order to get this license I need to stipulate an area where I am allowed to catch them so I need to contact someone in the area to gain permission.Does anyone here know who I would need to contact - local fishery wise - to gain permission to trap crayfish locally.

Andrew Smith ● 5505d

I think you need to contact the Environment Agency to get a licence.

Jennifer Long ● 5505d

I will if someone here can let me know whereabouts they are and who I need to contact to obtain permission - whether it is an angling club or owner of the waterway.

Andrew Smith ● 5507d

If you find the little buggers let me know, they look delicious!

Steve Bullman ● 5507d

I am being given the runaround by the various governing bodies and would like to ask those in the "know" - the fishermen/women. Who do I need to ask to obtain permission to catch crayfish and where is the best place to catch them around Brentford?

Andrew Smith ● 5507d

That's very nice Tim and yes I do agree they are very nice to eat. Is there anywhere along the waterway around Brentford that I am allowed to catch this invader?

Andrew Smith ● 5507d

I liked the George Monbiot DIY guide athttp://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/georgemonbiot/gallery/2009/sep/30/george-monbiot-crayfishThe final plate looks good !

Tim Henderson ● 5508d

With the Red signal crayfish (and yes they are very nice to eat) you only eat the claws and the tail. The indiginous white clawed crayfish are not found in this part of the country, or so the guy at the EA told me, and are I think protected.

Andrew Smith ● 5508d

Andrew,I may be wrong but if you're planning on eating them,and very nice they ae too,I seem to remember a tv prog about wild food in London saying something to the order that there is a poisonous variety or one that carries some bug.Something of that order anyway.

Keith Iddon ● 5508d