The Environment Agency has recently seized three illegal crayfish traps from a Fenland waterway. 

The agency received a tip-off from a member of the public and the Angling Trust about the traps located in the River Nene (Old Course) south west of March. 

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “... as this is an ongoing investigation we cannot disclose any further information at this time.” 

The Great Ouse and Fenland Fisheries Team posted about the incident on Saturday (April 13).  

It explained: “The traps were all illegal as neither of these were displaying EA authorisation tags and the umbrella style traps are illegal due to their size and shape.    

“There are strict rules about the design and size of crayfish traps because they can harm other wildlife...” 

“...Please report all illegal nets and traps to our incident hotline number 0800 807060.” 

Cambs Times: The traps seized from the River Nene (Old Course) are illegal because they were not displaying Environment Agency tags and their shape is unauthorised.The traps seized from the River Nene (Old Course) are illegal because they were not displaying Environment Agency tags and their shape is unauthorised. (Image: Environment Agency)Written permission is needed from the Environment Agency to trap native crayfish and non-native crayfish.  

Native (white-clawed) crayfish are considered a protected species and can only be trapped for scientific purposes.  

Government guidance currently says: “It is an offence to harm or remove native white clawed crayfish.   

“You can register for a licence for activities affecting white-clawed crayfish with Natural England.” 

For non-native crayfish, permission is also required from the landowner and any relevant angling clubs.  

In some areas, a licence is also needed to keep non-native crayfish alive after trapping.  

The strict rules exist around the design and size of crayfish traps because they can harm other wildlife in the waterways.  

Government guidance is available in full here.