Oh! No, not another crayfish invasion :(

[Leon Roskilly]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011...-radio-tracking

 

The agency has fitted small radio transmitters on the backs of the unwelcome guests, with preliminary results showing that virile crayfish are moving upstream at a rate of 500 metres a month.

 

This is substantially faster than their cousin, the signal crayfish, which is also non-native.

Edited December 30, 2011 by Leon Roskilly

[Steve Walker]

This time thought to be a released pet. I wonder if it's too late to get a bit Australian about biosecurity and potentially invasive species?

[chesters1]

lets get this straight its illegal to release any non native crays into a waterway but the EA do without punishment

[Vagabond]

This time thought to be a released pet. I wonder if it's too late to get a bit Australian about biosecurity and potentially invasive species?

 

Too late, even in Australia !

 

A lot of time, effort and money is currently being spent trying to control the introduced Gambusia spp which is threatening indigenous small fish and amphibians here in Tasmania.

 

What with carp, rabbits, foxes, feral cats, Lantana, rats, mice and cane toads, there are a lot of stable doors that still need shutting.

[Vagabond]

lets get this straight its illegal to release any non native crays into a waterway but the EA do without punishment

 

If I catch this crayfish, boil and eat it, can I keep the radio transmitter ? ...or does that remain EA property ?

 

I could for example, say nothing and attach the RT to the next hedgehog that visits my garden. That should generate an interesting paper on crayfish distribution.

Edited December 31, 2011 by Vagabond

[Steve Walker]

 

Seems we've acquired a lot of new aquatic invertebrates fairly recently - signal crays, mitten crabs, zebra mussels, Dikerogammarus and now this new beastie.

[Ken L]

Well, as we now have so many non-native crays, one more won't hurt - so do you think you can bring us back a flask of baby Tasmanian Giant Fresh Water Crayfish ?

At least they'll be worth eating !

 

Edited December 31, 2011 by Ken L

[Phil Adams]

 

I dont think I like the look of that critter one bit! although my Missus is now thinking up recipies already.

[Vagabond]

so do you think you can bring us back a flask of baby Tasmanian Giant Fresh Water Crayfish ?

Could do - but will you stand surity for the multiple $A 10,000-per-crayfish fines for catching them ? (I'll see if they will give discount for quantity )

 

Its now confined to a handful of N-flowing rivers - the Tamar (where I am) isn't one of them.