On Mon, 23 Jan 2006, david, gave forth these words of wisdom:
Thanks for the links. In view of the legal situation, one can buy a
licence for catching the bSignal crayfish as it's classed as an
invading pest. And at 16oz each, a tasty invading pest!
As a matter of interest I decided to do my bit and try to clear out a
bit of the Thame at Chiselhampton a couple of years back. Even went so
far as to construct a pretty nifty trap to this end, (up to this point I
was catching quite a few every trip using a keep net loaded with a loaf
of bread - quite successful - about a dozen of the monsters per trip).
I spoke to a very helpful guy down at the Environment agency in Reading
about getting a licence and he duly sent me an application form.
Unfortunately as I had to get permission from the land owner and the
club involved could not help with this I had to give up the idea.

I've since found that there is a lot of stuff on this at:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
and I also found this:
"Crayfish trapping advice packs are also available from the National
Fisheries Laboratory 01480 483968."

I haven't fished this stretch of the Thame recently so I can't tell if
the problem is still as severe as it was. These Yank imports are a pain
though and although they are good eating we'd definitely be better off
without them.

As for "16oz" I don't concur from my experience.
They can get big but 1lb?
HTH
Alec
--
Alec Powell
Watlington Oxon. UK