| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| fallscrape |
Crayfish License - River ChelmerAfter reading a few articles on crayfish I decided I wanted to do my bit and do some crayfish trapping. Usually I fish with a line and rod, and after chatting to the helpful people at the fisheries lab they sent out a license pack - very informative.Unfortunately the bit of river I was dead set on fishing doesn't have an obvious bailiff presence. I've wandered a few times without seeing anyone. So I thought I'd do a bit of research, but I can't find out who owns the stretch of river! It's definately fished because there is a number of small fishing stations yet I've not seen an angler at the times I go awandering. Plenty of fish however! Any ideas on (or anyone know) how to find this out? The fisheries put me in touch with a guy who told me that he couldn't tell me because of the data information act (I presume he means protection). Must be a registry _somewhere_ like the land registry! Seems like a lot of hassle to get pests out of the water :- ( |
| bodger |
The owner of the land surrounding the river will often own the riparian (fishing) rights. He may have retained these rights or let them out to a fishing club or syndicate.
The land owner should be your first port of call ! |
| nettie |
Which bit of the Chelmer is it? |
| dpack |
the local angling shop is a great source of knowledge .
take a flask (either sort  )
|
| fallscrape |
it's just before the main town and clubbing area. I've just found the owner of the carpark I park in owns the rights for his part of the bank so I'll be getting some details tomorrow = )
Finally... progress! O'course there's probably no crays in the chelmer after all this... it's only a few feet deep! |
| nettie |
I can find out who owns the bit by the army and navy, where they keep the cows, if you like. My friend made enquiries about grazing her horses there. |
| skedone |
if u see a guy called wayne early 30 dark hair short and slightly tubby now looking like a advert for a tackle componey doing lure fishing ask him he knows all of that river and is a BLOODY good lure fisherman i dont have his number now so cant call him but he is your man to talk to he fishes in both areas mention on a daily basis if he can and will tell u were and when every marine animal is in the hole rive lol
p.s he might me cover in diff paints as well he works in a paint spry area |
| dougal |
Specifically regarding Crayfish, it primarily depends on whether your river has a surviving population of native ("white claw") crayfish (which will be justifiably protected) or the larger american Signal Crayfish.
Regarding trapping Signal Crayfish, see: *this Environment Agency link* which even gives a phone number for a "crayfish trapping advice pack" (as well as basic info and other links). This document http://www.defra.gov.uk/fish/freshwater/pdf/licreq.pdf lists the postcodes where no license to "keep" signal crayfish is required. If no license is required, its a good indication that the area is already infested with them. Seems no keeping license is required for any Chelmsford postcode... Technically a license is required to "transport" them. But if you were taking a few home and not travelling outside the listed postcodes, I doubt it would be serious. A license to "keep" is not required for "immediate consumption". It'd be a good idea to hold them in clean water for a day or two to purge their guts of whatever filth they had been eating recently... and if the water was polluted, I wouldn't want to eat them, because they will tend to sweep up and concentrate the water's contaminants, at least as well as any fish - because of their omnivorous nature and appetite. |
| fallscrape |
Nettie - yes please if you could - I didn't get anywhere with the guy from the car park - doesn't return my calls etc.
bought the trap now it is spring and I can start going out without being blown away! |