Going cray-cray for cray

RECREATIONAL fishers are being encouraged to get into the great outdoors during winter and catch a Murray spiny freshwater crayfish now that the three-month season opened on Sunday. Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) CEO Travis Dowling said the prized freshwater species could be caught in northern and north-east Victoria and were great fun for fishers of all ages and experience levels. “One great thing about catching crays is you don’t need heaps of gear – a piece of steak on a length of string or a labelled hoop net will do the job,” Mr Dowling said. “Many families have great memories of winter weekends catching crays, which are perfect to enjoy around the campfire with loved ones or can be released to stay at liberty.” Mr Dowling highlighted the importance of measuring crays correctly, from just behind the eye socket to the rear of the carapace (the main body shell). Only crayfish with carapace length of 10-12cm can be kept and any females carrying eggs must be returned to the water. The daily bag limit is two crays and the possession limit is four per person at any one time. “This helps keep large, breeding females in the system to produce offspring for years to come,” Mr Dowling said. A recent study funded by VFA fishing licence fees found wild populations across 17 sites in north-east Victoria remained in ‘strong shape’. Researchers from the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) and Nature Glenelg Trust surveyed the locations using hoop nets and found only minor changes from a similar study undertaken in 2016. VFA recreational fisheries manager Taylor Hunt said the assessment compared the abundance, size, and sex ratio of freshwater crays caught in the two surveys and showed their numbers remaining steady. “This is good news and suggests our existing fishing rules are balancing fishing opportunities for recreational anglers with the right level of protection for a really important native species," Dr Hunt said. “We’re also working with ARI to produce Murray spiny freshwater craylings at our Snobs Creek conservation hatchery, which will further bolster numbers in these spots and more.” More information can be found at www.vfa.vic.gov.au/fishingguide

Going cray-cray for cray

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