JLW
CCA Members
Hello friends.
We need your help. As many of you know, several years ago, the Virginia DGAF passed a blanket law banning the sale, import, purchase, or trade of any species of live crayfish. Earlier this year, Pennsylvania followed suit with a similar law. Now, Maryland is poised to become the next state to do so. New pending legislature will "Prohibit statewide the catch, use, and possession of live crayfish of ALL species, " of crayfish, and is designed to "Address the major pathways (i.e., live bait, pet, and biological supply industries) through which exotic crayfishes are imported to the state" (Emphasis added). In short, it would make it illegal for anyone in the state of Maryland to buy, sell or even own pet crayfish, unless they immediately remove their heads (which makes them a slightly less enjoyable pet). This legislature is aimed primarily at the anglers and baitfish trade, but also targets pet stores as an avenue for introduction.
There is no doubt in my mind, whatsoever, that certain species of crayfish present in the aquarium hobby can have detrimental effects on our wild ecosystems. The common feeder crayfish can be released and become major vectors of disease, and many people have heard me rail about the self-cloning marmokrebs. Those pests can become invasive should even one be released, and have a major reproductive advantage over native species. They're great competitors, and can be major vectors of disease, as well. Species like that should be restricted from the aquarium trade.
However, this blanket ban will include many of our familiar species, such as the various colour morphs of Procambrus alleni (e.g., electric blue, snow white, etc. "lobsters"), the various semi-tropical dwarf crayfish (e.g., the "Texas Dwarf," the Mexican Dwarf, and the Orange Dwarf), and any other hobbyist traded species. The brightly coloured crayfish have virtually no chance of reproducing in the wild -- their colour alone means that predators would rapidly pick them off. Their severely limited southern ranges support the idea that they simply would not handle our winters. In short, they pose no more risk to the wild than any other traded aquarium organism.
Aside from the direct effect that banning crayfish would have on those of us who do enjoy keeping them, this is a terrible, awful slippery slope. It seems that much of our legislature is woefully ignorant of taxonomy, and finds it easier to introduce blanket bans on entire large groups of organisms. Pertinent examples include the ban on all species of snakehead (which removed, for example, the dwarf snakeheads that pose no threat, as a result of a single species not even present in the hobby), the Florida ban on all species of Lionfish (as a result of two species appearing on the coast), and many more. Should we, as hobbyists, continue to allow these blanket bans, we'll soon find ourselves with a handful of proscribed species on a white-list, or losing huge groups of fish. What's to stop legislature from banning all cichlids because of the damage done by Tilapia? Or all tetras because of fear mongering about Piranha? All Loricariids because of the Common Pleco? All of these are equally rational to the crayfish ban.
We have until the 1st of September -- less than week -- to offer comments on this. I'm asking anyone who has a vested interest in crayfish, or in the hobby, to e-mail fisheriespubliccomment.dnr@maryland.gov and let them know your thoughts on this. The text of the proposal follows below.
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POSSIBLE CRAYFISH REGULATION
Invasive crayfishes have the ability to achieve high densities and are important as both prey and
predators; therefore, they have the capacity to affect more than just native crayfish diversity.
They are known to adversely affect stream insects, mussels, snails, amphibians, reptiles, fishes,
Based on a survey of Maryland’s freshwater anglers conducted in 2008, the release of live,
unused crayfish into Maryland waters is relatively common. The introduction of invasive
crayfish is the most important threat to native crayfish diversity worldwide. In the Mid-Atlantic
region, the spread of invasive crayfishes through their use as bait has been followed by declines
of native crayfishes in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The use and release of live
crayfishes as bait by anglers has resulted in the introduction of five non-native crayfish in
Maryland waters. Three of these – Rusty Crayfish, Virile Crayfish, and Red Swamp Crawfish –
are considered invasive due to their adverse effects on aquatic ecosystem function and native
Recommended Solution
Prohibit statewide the catch, use, and possession of live crayfish of ALL species, unless the head
is immediately removed behind the eyes. By banning the possession of all live crayfish, this
1) Address the major pathways (i.e., live bait, pet, and biological supply industries) through
which exotic crayfishes are imported to the state, and drastically reduce the potential for
further spread of exotic, invasive crayfish already established in some Maryland waters
into new watersheds;
2) Prevent exotic crayfish introductions while allowing anglers to catch and use crayfish
(headless) as bait; and
3) Allow the harvest of crayfish (headless) for consumption.
Banning possession of live crayfish in Maryland would:
1) Make it illegal for anyone to catch and hold a live crayfish while wading in a creek;
2) Require a MD DNR issued permit to possess live crayfish for educational purposes (e.g.,
classroom instruction) or for research purposes;
3) Prohibit import and possession of live crayfishes by Maryland restaurants, pet stores, and
4) Prohibit commercial harvest of crayfish
A statewide ban on the catch, use, or possession of live crayfish would be more enforceable,
easily interpreted by anglers and provide protection to all Maryland waters against the spread of
Accepting Comments until September 1, 2014
The idea was recommended to the Fisheries Service by the MD DNR Invasive Species Matrix
Team. The idea was presented and discussed at the meetings of the Sport Fisheries Advisory
Commission and Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission held in April and July.
Please send comment to fisheriespubliccomment.dnr@maryland.gov
Other Regional Actions (Pennsylvania)
The PA Fish and Boat Commission recently adopted a similar rulemaking that will take effect on
January 1, 2015. To view the PA rule visit http://fishandboat.com/rulemakings/256finp.pdf
We need your help. As many of you know, several years ago, the Virginia DGAF passed a blanket law banning the sale, import, purchase, or trade of any species of live crayfish. Earlier this year, Pennsylvania followed suit with a similar law. Now, Maryland is poised to become the next state to do so. New pending legislature will "Prohibit statewide the catch, use, and possession of live crayfish of ALL species, " of crayfish, and is designed to "Address the major pathways (i.e., live bait, pet, and biological supply industries) through which exotic crayfishes are imported to the state" (Emphasis added). In short, it would make it illegal for anyone in the state of Maryland to buy, sell or even own pet crayfish, unless they immediately remove their heads (which makes them a slightly less enjoyable pet). This legislature is aimed primarily at the anglers and baitfish trade, but also targets pet stores as an avenue for introduction.
There is no doubt in my mind, whatsoever, that certain species of crayfish present in the aquarium hobby can have detrimental effects on our wild ecosystems. The common feeder crayfish can be released and become major vectors of disease, and many people have heard me rail about the self-cloning marmokrebs. Those pests can become invasive should even one be released, and have a major reproductive advantage over native species. They're great competitors, and can be major vectors of disease, as well. Species like that should be restricted from the aquarium trade.
However, this blanket ban will include many of our familiar species, such as the various colour morphs of Procambrus alleni (e.g., electric blue, snow white, etc. "lobsters"), the various semi-tropical dwarf crayfish (e.g., the "Texas Dwarf," the Mexican Dwarf, and the Orange Dwarf), and any other hobbyist traded species. The brightly coloured crayfish have virtually no chance of reproducing in the wild -- their colour alone means that predators would rapidly pick them off. Their severely limited southern ranges support the idea that they simply would not handle our winters. In short, they pose no more risk to the wild than any other traded aquarium organism.
Aside from the direct effect that banning crayfish would have on those of us who do enjoy keeping them, this is a terrible, awful slippery slope. It seems that much of our legislature is woefully ignorant of taxonomy, and finds it easier to introduce blanket bans on entire large groups of organisms. Pertinent examples include the ban on all species of snakehead (which removed, for example, the dwarf snakeheads that pose no threat, as a result of a single species not even present in the hobby), the Florida ban on all species of Lionfish (as a result of two species appearing on the coast), and many more. Should we, as hobbyists, continue to allow these blanket bans, we'll soon find ourselves with a handful of proscribed species on a white-list, or losing huge groups of fish. What's to stop legislature from banning all cichlids because of the damage done by Tilapia? Or all tetras because of fear mongering about Piranha? All Loricariids because of the Common Pleco? All of these are equally rational to the crayfish ban.
We have until the 1st of September -- less than week -- to offer comments on this. I'm asking anyone who has a vested interest in crayfish, or in the hobby, to e-mail fisheriespubliccomment.dnr@maryland.gov and let them know your thoughts on this. The text of the proposal follows below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POSSIBLE CRAYFISH REGULATION
Invasive crayfishes have the ability to achieve high densities and are important as both prey and
predators; therefore, they have the capacity to affect more than just native crayfish diversity.
They are known to adversely affect stream insects, mussels, snails, amphibians, reptiles, fishes,
Based on a survey of Maryland’s freshwater anglers conducted in 2008, the release of live,
unused crayfish into Maryland waters is relatively common. The introduction of invasive
crayfish is the most important threat to native crayfish diversity worldwide. In the Mid-Atlantic
region, the spread of invasive crayfishes through their use as bait has been followed by declines
of native crayfishes in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The use and release of live
crayfishes as bait by anglers has resulted in the introduction of five non-native crayfish in
Maryland waters. Three of these – Rusty Crayfish, Virile Crayfish, and Red Swamp Crawfish –
are considered invasive due to their adverse effects on aquatic ecosystem function and native
Recommended Solution
Prohibit statewide the catch, use, and possession of live crayfish of ALL species, unless the head
is immediately removed behind the eyes. By banning the possession of all live crayfish, this
1) Address the major pathways (i.e., live bait, pet, and biological supply industries) through
which exotic crayfishes are imported to the state, and drastically reduce the potential for
further spread of exotic, invasive crayfish already established in some Maryland waters
into new watersheds;
2) Prevent exotic crayfish introductions while allowing anglers to catch and use crayfish
(headless) as bait; and
3) Allow the harvest of crayfish (headless) for consumption.
Banning possession of live crayfish in Maryland would:
1) Make it illegal for anyone to catch and hold a live crayfish while wading in a creek;
2) Require a MD DNR issued permit to possess live crayfish for educational purposes (e.g.,
classroom instruction) or for research purposes;
3) Prohibit import and possession of live crayfishes by Maryland restaurants, pet stores, and
4) Prohibit commercial harvest of crayfish
A statewide ban on the catch, use, or possession of live crayfish would be more enforceable,
easily interpreted by anglers and provide protection to all Maryland waters against the spread of
Accepting Comments until September 1, 2014
The idea was recommended to the Fisheries Service by the MD DNR Invasive Species Matrix
Team. The idea was presented and discussed at the meetings of the Sport Fisheries Advisory
Commission and Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission held in April and July.
Please send comment to fisheriespubliccomment.dnr@maryland.gov
Other Regional Actions (Pennsylvania)
The PA Fish and Boat Commission recently adopted a similar rulemaking that will take effect on
January 1, 2015. To view the PA rule visit http://fishandboat.com/rulemakings/256finp.pdf
