Ornamental Signals

[davidP]

Was in the Iver branch of a large aquatics chain at the weekend and they had a big tank of fully grown signal crayfish for sale. I didn't say anything at the time as I wasn't 100% sure, but I've since checked and confirmed that it is illegal to stock signals into any water in England and Wales, and presumably this would include garden ponds. Do you think I'm correct in assuming that anybody who buys them and puts them in an outdoor pond is committing an offence, or are there different rules for ornamental ponds. And is it legal for the shop to even be selling them for anything other than indoor keeping or eating?

[Apache]

If as you say, there is a law against stocking signal crayfish in any water in England then that woudl include garden ponds in my opinion

[John S]

I agree, illegal.

 

Report them....

 

[ 30. March 2004, 08:24 PM: Message edited by: John S ]

[Chris Plumb]

Sounds like it's illegal to me - how about if you put them in a fish tank though? - they'd actually make pretty cool additions to an indoor tank!!

 

 

Chris

[Bradford Angler]

but you don't need a section 30 to put carp in your own pond do you ?

 

report em any though and do the next generation of anglers a service . .

[Jon Hedges]

So it is illegal to stock them, but also illegal to remove them from a fishery without a license or agreement(I think that was the conclusion of the thread some time ago ?) This country .....

[Chris Plumb]

Tis also illegal to put them back if you, err -accidentally catch one!

 

Chris

[Jon Hedges]

Christ on a bike. What are you to do if you catch one accidentally then ? - post it back to the States ?

[ridgeacre]

Do what I do stomp on it

 

(one down 6 million to go

[Chris Plumb]

You kill them - make good eating. My mate Paul and I have caught over 2 dozen in a day when deadbaiting for pike - I think my record was 4 clinging to one small sprat deadbait. They are a real PAIN in parts of ther Kennet. Last year from one small stretch (less than a mile) licensed trappers caught 14781 Signals in less than 6 months (12/4/03 - 30/9/03). That's ¾ tonne of crayfish from one bank from one short stretch of river. Place must be paved with em!

 

 

Chris