Abstract

In this report on yield determination of smaller ponds stocked with Astacus astacus the final results of a 6-years experiment are presented the first part of which was described already in 1995. As the experimental pond could not be drained at that time, the total crayfish biomass produced in the pond had to be determined by rough estimation (300 - 400 kg ha^-1 yr^-1). Already 3 years after initial stocking the share of large consumption crayfish (> 80 g) declined. This process of stunting further accelerated in the 2 years before draining of the pond. We assume that after removal of the large males which seem to play an important role in reducing the number of younger crayfish the population increased in a way that made it almost impossible to produce larger crayfish. In the last 2 years of the experiment the pond had very high yields of smaller crayfish which could only be sold as stocking material. The average net yield of crayfish during the total duration of the experiment of 6 years since the initial stocking amounted to remarkable 660 kg ha^-1 yr^-1.

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