cray:crayfish

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cray:crayfish [2025/12/05 10:05] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1cray:crayfish [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Crayfish+This topic is part of [[gt:bushcraft|Bushcraft & Nature]]. 
 +====== Crayfish ======
  
  
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-## What are crayfish?+===== What are crayfish? =====
  
 Called crawfish in the US, they are freshwater crustaceans related to lobsters, and there are two main species in UK - the native white-clawed crayfish (_Austropotamobius pallipes_), and the non-native American Signal crayfish (_Pacifastacus leniusculus)_, which was introduced to Britain in the 1970s via dedicated farms, and subsequently escaped. There are a few other introduced species but they are not very widespread. Called crawfish in the US, they are freshwater crustaceans related to lobsters, and there are two main species in UK - the native white-clawed crayfish (_Austropotamobius pallipes_), and the non-native American Signal crayfish (_Pacifastacus leniusculus)_, which was introduced to Britain in the 1970s via dedicated farms, and subsequently escaped. There are a few other introduced species but they are not very widespread.
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 <caption> <caption>
-UK-native white-clawed crayfish (top), and the American signal crayfish (bottom). The signal crayfish is bigger and has a small blue or white patch at the joint of the claw, and the claws are red underneath. +_UK-native white-clawed crayfish (top), and the American signal crayfish (bottom). The signal crayfish is bigger and has a small blue or white patch at the joint of the claw, and the claws are red underneath._
 </caption> </caption>
  
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 <caption> <caption>
-Signal crayfish displaying the tell-tale red claws +_Signal crayfish displaying the tell-tale red claws_
 </caption> </caption>
  
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-## What are the benefits of catching crayfish?+===== What are the benefits of catching crayfish? =====
  
 First - getting [food from the wild](/wild/wild_food) is always a good idea from an environmental perspective (unless we deplete the resource – but this isn't an issue here, as we'll see later). Wild food requires no pesticides, fertilisers, hormones or genetic modification - in fact, no ecological interference at all. First - getting [food from the wild](/wild/wild_food) is always a good idea from an environmental perspective (unless we deplete the resource – but this isn't an issue here, as we'll see later). Wild food requires no pesticides, fertilisers, hormones or genetic modification - in fact, no ecological interference at all.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Boil crayfish, then leave to stand for 10 minutes. +_Boil crayfish, then leave to stand for 10 minutes._
 </caption> </caption>
  
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
 **Buying crayfish** **Buying crayfish**
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 <caption> <caption>
-Make sure you check your crayfish traps regularly. +_Make sure you check your crayfish traps regularly._
 </caption> </caption>
  
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 <caption> <caption>
-You can buy crayfish traps - and make sure you get the licence tags from DEFRA. +_You can buy crayfish traps - and make sure you get the licence tags from DEFRA._
 </caption> </caption>
  
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 <caption> <caption>
-You can make your own crayfish traps using wicker or wire mesh. +_You can make your own crayfish traps using wicker or wire mesh._
 </caption> </caption>
  
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 <caption> <caption>
-How to catch a crayfish +_How to catch a crayfish_
 </caption> </caption>
  
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 <figure> <figure>
  
-![A cooked crayfish looking very much like a small lobster](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/crayfish-cooked.jpg)+![_A cooked crayfish looking very much like a small lobster_](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/crayfish-cooked.jpg)
  
 <caption> <caption>
-A cooked crayfish looking very much like a small lobster +_A cooked crayfish looking very much like a small lobster_
 </caption> </caption>
  
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 <caption> <caption>
-Traditional Louisiana-style crayfish 'boil'. +_Traditional Louisiana-style crayfish 'boil'._
 </caption> </caption>
  
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-## Further resources+===== Forum ===== 
 + 
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:bushcraft|Bushcraft & Nature]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/bushcraft). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources ===== 
 + 
 +- [Environment Agency UK](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/297048/genw0606blai-e-e.pdf) - stop the spread of alien crayfish / crayfish plague 
 +- [Inland Waterways](https://waterways.org.uk/about-us/news/signal-crayfish) - difference between native and signal crayfish 
 +- [How to catch signal crayfish](https://foragedfoods.co.uk/how-to-catch-signal-crayfish/) 
 +- [Trapper Arne](https://www.trapperarne.com/whatbait.html) - crayfish trap specialist 
 +- [How to trap crayfish](https://www.wildfoodie.co.uk/post/catching-and-preparing-crayfish-using-pots-traps) 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Related topics =====
  
 +- [Fishing](fish:fishing)
 +- [Wild food](wild:wild_food)
 +- [Game / wild meat](game:game)
 +- [Bushcraft](bush:bushcraft)
 +- [Low-impact food & drink](lifo:food)
  
  
-## Specialist(s)+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
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