Abstract

In this study, two stocking experiments are compared with the common object of achieving maximum yields of marketable (80 g+) noble crayfish Astacus astacus in Bavarian ponds. In the first experiment, a pond 2,000 m^-2 in size was stocked with males and females of different ages. The result after some years was yields of about 150 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 which decreased rapidly because of stunting as the population density increased. To eliminate this problem, in the second experiment a 4,000 m^-2 pond was stocked with males only (one individual m^-2 pond surface, mean weight 51 g). Respectable net yields of more than 300 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 were achieved. Further ways of increasing yields and minimizing the growth period are discussed. However in European aquaculture in the foreseeable future the noble crayfish only has a chance in a few regions in which the risk of crayfish plague is low.

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