Just applied for a crayfish fishing licence

dizzybuff

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the trapping of crayfish.
In order to trap crayfish in a certain water, you will need permission from ourselves to use the trap(s), and permission from the fishery, landowner or owner of the fishing rights.
The use of traps to catch crayfish in the North of England & Wales (unless for scientific research, conservation, or fishery management) will normally be refused for the following reasons:
· There is an increased risk of spreading crayfish plague and other fish diseases
· There is an increased risk of catching and / or harming native crayfish
The use of traps in southern England to catch crayfish for personal consumption or as a business enterprise is more likely to be approved.
However, we would usually not approve the trapping of non-native crayfish in areas where there is a high risk of the native white-clawed crayfish getting caught. This is currently the case in the south west of England, especially Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.
An FR2 form must be completed if you wish to apply for a licence. We can only issue the licence to one named individual who will be allowed to carry out the trapping.

On the FR2 form, you must indicate a specific water which you wish to trap on and detail who owns that water.
The FR2 form and accompanying guidance can be downloaded from the eFish Business website:
<http://www.efishbusiness.co.uk/formsandguides/default.asp&gt;
If you would like a crayfish information and guidance pack, please contact our National Fisheries Laboratory on 01480 483968.


Got this today will be phoning for a pack tomorrow ...:T

thelawnet

You need a crayfish licence to use a trap - such as a lobster pot.

For crayfish fishing with a net you don't need a licence.