Crawfish

[the11fisherman]

For those of you that wish to send emails requesting for the rules on the methods of harvesting Crayfish changes, here is a site where you can find the appropriate emails:
http://aep.alberta.ca/about-us/conta...ap-Mar2015.pdf

Just click on your appropriate zone and find the email that you figure is the one that is most useful (aka possibly the head Biologist and other biologists).

[pikeman06]

Here we go again...it's an invasive species that's pretty well established in alberta and it's almost like they are protecting the stupid things...there are guys that have the knowledge and ambition to put them to good use and maybe even keep their numbers in check but no way. Let's regulate it to the point where no one can pursue the crustaceans and still be within the laws. What's next crawfish tags for 11 bux, 3 of which goes directly into fishery's and the rest goes into the government's jeans. They probably been stocking them themselves for ticket revenue.

[the11fisherman]

Here is the Reply I got back from Environment and Parks:

Sometimes, rules are in place in an effort to manage human behaviour. While Northern Crayfish are a species native to the Saskatchewan / Nelson river drainage and appear to be naturally extending their range upstream along the river system, it appears that human may also be moving them around. The motives for doing this are unclear, but may be related to a desire to establish more populations to create commercial harvest opportunities. The rules for capturing crayfish which prohibit the use of traps are designed to not promote unwanted relocations by only permitting legal capture methods which are relatively inefficient. Aside from prohibiting movement of live crayfish and only permitting inefficient capture techniques, there is no effort underway to control crayfish populations.

Thank you.

[pikeman06]

So they think albertans are planting these things to create a commercial fishery? But can't use them for bait or catch them in a trap and eat them and keep them under control somewhat. That's just ridiculous. What would be their method of control when they find out they are eating fish eggs or impacting native fish or river systems because they are invasive just like the Prussian carp and that's what invasive species do, they invade?