Abstract

In Norway crayfish are included in the fisheries legislation. Crayfish catching and disease control are regulated in the Atlantic Salmon and Inland Fisheries Act of 6 March 1964 and the Aquatic Organisms Diseases Act of 30 July 1990. Regulations in force, based on these two acts, are presented. Due to outbreak of the crayfish plague, catching of the noble crayfish, Astacus astacus, was banned in Norway from 1987. Exemptions from the ban could be achieved outside the plague-infected area by application to the county veterinary authorities. Based on an inquiry among those granted an exemption, crayfish yield was estimated to some 10 - 11 tonnes in 1990, representing an economical value of about 2.8 million NOK (US$425,000) in addition to the recreational value. In 1910 yield was about 22 tons, in 1966 about 40 tonnes and in 1980 some 20 - 30 tonnes. The decline in yield since 1966 (approx. 30 tonnes) represents a value of about 7.3 million NOK (US$1.1 mill). The decline in total crayfish yield is probably correlated to a decline in the size of the crayfish populations as crayfish catching has been very popular throughout the century. Crayfish plague is responsible for a yield reduction of some 4-5 tonnes. Other factors reducing crayfish abundance include habitat alterations, acidification and other pollution, predation and overfishing.

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