Kōura are in decline. Anything you can think of will have a crack at crayfish,” says John. any rock lobster that cannot be measured (for example, because of damage to the tail preventing accurate measurement). From 1 October 2018, under the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations, you must not kill any farmed or commercially caught crab, rock lobster, crayfish, or kōura (freshwater crayfish) for commercial purposes unless it is made insensible first (for example by stunning or chilling). We love the boil method the best with a little sizzle in olive oil on the barbecue just before serving. Now there’s a practical guide on how you can farm them and get a bite of the juicy price tag. There are many different types of pots. He says anyone with a garden stream or pond could raise kōura for fun. You measure the second segment of the tail – it must be greater than 54 millimetres wide for a male and 60mm wide for a female. This species has been heavily fished, and over-fished, for decades. • selective breeding for faster growth; Check out www.fish.govt.nz for the specific measurements. It won the Spirit of New Zealand Award in the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards 2017, for its sustainable approach and conservation ideals. Red crayfish (Jasus edwardsii) are more common, although the larger green packhorse crayfish (Sagmariasus verreauxi) are widespread. The thorn-shaped spines on the second tail segment are measured 54 mm apart for the male, and 60 mm apart for the female.]. Barbecue while basting with oil or melted butter. His first initial, surname and telephone number are clearly written in black ink on a yellow buoy attached to the pot.]. This doesn't apply if you capture the crustacean in the wild and kill it immediately (for example, commercial fishers split crayfish on capture). [A still image is shown comparing undersides of a male and female. [Various pots are shown, each with a gap built into the edge of the frame, where netting does not extend all the way to the edge of the pot.]. [A pot is pulled onto a boat. Crayfish shed their exo-skeleton as they grow and breed. “Herbicides and pesticides will kill within hours,” says John. Whether you call them crawdads, crawfish, or mudbugs, crayfish are one of the most lethal bass, catfish, and big-trout baits you can put on a hook. Many pots are homemade. www.keewai.co.nz – Otago and Southland, Sustainable crayfish venture wins accolades, Contact Us  / Newsletter / Advertise With Us  / Subscribe, Exploring the pristine wilderness of Tasmania's south coast on the Coral Discoverer, How to grow soy beans and what to do in the garden this December, In Your Backyard: Living Lightly on sale now, Signs your chickens might have gapeworm PLUS how to treat it, 5 common egg imperfections and what they say about your chickens. [A crayfish pot is dropped from a boat into the water. The crayfish climb between the branches and use it as a refuge, effectively trapping themselves. John is working with iwi in Hawke’s Bay and Southland, but he also has small landowners in his sights. Try catching them by baiting a stocking with a piece of meat. In a couple of years, I’d like to think we can edit it.”. The world wants our freshwater crayfish. It gives you the best possible chance of catching something. Not so long ago, when no-one doubted the drinkability of our rivers and streams, when no-one used words like ‘swimmable’ to measure water quality, one of the defining pastimes of a New Zealand childhood was searching for freshwater crayfish. John warns it pays to do the homework before embarking on a commercial venture. However, if in doubt, use the 60 millimeter measurement. HI guys hope yourll all doing well and fishing is great, now i need help, where can i get these freshwater crayfish from im in auckland in the north shore? If they are in pairs, it is female. They are: To protect the sustainability of New Zealand rock lobsters: Getting to grips with handling and measuring lobster [PDF, 2.2 MB] Information on daily catch and legal size limits, measurement instructions, potting limits, methods and restrictions, and guidelines for handling rock lobsters. • Kōura are night feeders. Lower it into the water and wait. All these activities require consents and permits from government agencies, territorial authorities or other groups. To catch a crawfish, wade into the water and look for rocks that seem likely to be hiding a crawfish. • Kōura are a traditional food for Maori, who have several ways of catching them in the wild. Fisheries New Zealand announced changes to the recreational fishing rules for rock lobster in the Canterbury/Marlborough (CRA 5) rock lobster fisheries, effective from 1 July 2020. Finish with a little salt and a squeeze of lemon or drops of balsamic vinegar. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 34: 557-567. Following these rules will help future generations enjoy recreational fishing. New Recreational Crayfish Rules for Marlborough. We offer them live, cooked, halves or tails & heads. But mostly, the guidelines are shaped by John’s own experience, honed from years of research in the laboratory and many hours in a wetsuit observing kōura in their natural habitat. Children love searching the banks for the nippy little beasts and it’s a great way for them to learn about conservation and their natural environment. Distribution of the New Zealand crayfish Paranephrops zealandicus in relation to stream physico-chemistry, predatory fish, and invertebrate prey. • Both North and South Island kōura are in decline, with the South Island species formally listed as threatened. There’s a lot of misinformation out there. The rest can be used to make a flavoursome stock or bisque. Report poaching, suspicious, or illegal activity – call 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24) or email poacher@mpi.govt.nz. To determine if the crayfish is male or female, check if the crayfish has pincers on the rear legs, or check the pleopods. He says the beauty of kōura farming is that it doesn’t affect the water source. When reporting any suspected poaching put your personal safety first. Olsson, K. 2003. New ponds are filled naturally with spring or rainwater and then left for two years. This is a good strategy when fishing in a surfcasting contest as well. [A still image is shown, highlighting the spines on either side of the bottom of the crayfish. [Crayfish are seen close up underwater. There are maximum daily bag and size limits for rock lobsters. Inside we see a bait bag and two crayfish. All calls and personal details are treated as confidential. Latest breaking news articles, photos, video, blogs, reviews, analysis, opinion and reader comment from New Zealand and around the World - NZ Herald. Crayfish are subject to strict quota and size limits. Freshwater Crayfish Farming: A Guide to Getting Started draws on his experience as aquaculture manager for the Keewai project. John’s booklet, backed by the Sustainable Farming Fund, is the first attempt to collate what is known about crayfish farming in New Zealand. But now, the ponds are steadily being stocked with kōura (brand named Keewai) for the high-end restaurant market. By definition a rock lobster pot meansany pot, whether baited or not, that is capable of catching or holding rock lobster. 3 REASONS IT’S A GREAT IDEA They are caught both commercially and recreationally in baited pots. Widely known in New Zealand as crayfish where it is considered a delicacy and fetches a high price. [Fisheries officers Justine and Tokanui address the camera directly, between video footage described below.]. Avoiding Pitfalls Release breeding crayfish. Nisikawa, U., Townsend, C. R. 2000. “There is no blueprint so it’s challenging. The 2 most popular species of rock lobster are the red or spiny rock lobster and the packhorse rock lobster. For the past few years, he’s been developing a unique way of farming kōura in the forests of Southland and Otago. This is so if it goes adrift, someone can contact you. Catch sampling allows NIWA observers to sample the catch from rock lobster (crayfish) fishing vessels. John Hollows checking crayfish in a live capture fyke net. Try to avoid grasping the crayfish by the legs or antennae, as damaged crayfish seldom survive. A SCUBA diver swims underwater and picks up a crayfish by hand.]. The width of the second tail segment on the underside of one crayfish is measured using a yellow crayfish ruler. [A fisherman puts a bait of squid in a pot. There are one or two other lesser diseases to look out for, chiefly the whitetail fungus. It can co-exist with other farming activities, adding an additional income stream for vineyards and lifestyle blocks. NZ$ 60.00 EA. • in these conditions it takes three years to raise a juvenile South Island kōura to a saleable weight of 70g-100g – the North Island species, which also occurs in the north and west of the South Island, is generally smaller and sold at around 50g; John believes the global demand for freshwater crayfish can support a profitable niche industry and this will save the species. It’s well short of the 10-tonne minimum needed to attract an overseas market. He is a scientist and conservationist who has studied the impact of changing land use on our native crayfish. If you're planning on making a pot, it's importantto know what's needed for it to be legal. If they are in pairs, it is female. Packhorse crayfish are the largest lobster species in the world and may grow up to a whopping 15kg. So when I’m in QLD I spear crays without even blinking an eye! To: 9889SoutheastAucklandCentralSouthlandChallengerFiordlandKermadec], Find out more about lobster rules and regulations in your area. It's then moved directly, wrapped in newspaper, from the chilly bin to a freezer. Then very slowly reach your hand into the water and gently lift up the rock. His conclusion? At Keewai, forestry workers lend a hand to set baited nets. If you don't, it could result in harm from the sun, wind, or attacks from predators as they attempt to return to safety. This covering eventually gets too small for the growing animal. “Eels, trout, water rats, perch, even hedgehogs. Newly-fertilised eggs on the belly of a female. Their claws get caught in the stocking which makes them easy to haul out. I was wondering if anyone could give me a few locations around auckland east or west coast that are accessible by foot that may give me a chance of getting a few crayfish? There is only one pleopod on each side of the segment.]. Popularly known as crays, crayfish resemble lobsters but lack the lobster’s large crushing pincers on their first pair of walking legs. Habitats can be created or modified from new or existing ponds, dams, streams or canals but they need to be clear of sediment. NZ Crayfish. To add to the confusion, two species occur around the coast. When you bring your pot to the surface, it's important to check if there are any undersize, soft shell, or females in berry in the pot, and return these to the ocean as soon as possible. • labour is minimal for most of the year. They are normally caught when diving or in crayfish pots. [Crayfish are shown in small crevices under rocks and coral.]. In Australia, yabbies and the larger marrons are farmed in dams that are drained once a year. The business is commercially savvy, using existing infrastructure, but also award-winning. To determine if the crayfish is male or female, check if the crayfish has pincers on the rear legs or check the pleopods. One method is to tie up a large bundle of bracken and leave it on a pond bed attached to a rope. I know its a big ask so you dont need to give away your favourite spots but maybe a … Use a permanent marker so it doesn't come off. The kōura eat everything from plankton to plants, snails, and water boatmen, but they are not at the top of the food chain. Red crayfish are … But if you do, he says purge them for a couple of days in several changes of fresh water (not tap water) before cooking. [A mobile phone is shown with text on the screen: To: 9889SoutheastAucklandCentralSouthlandChallengerFiordlandKermadec. “They’re such a lovely thing to eat.”. Overseas, New Zealand crayfish have been marketed as rock lobster, and this name now has official status. • this is an easy form of land-based aquaculture, sustainable, and cheap to run, with returns of $100 per kilogram of crayfish. Ideally you should also add your phone number. Text your region name to 9889. Crayfish are widespread throughout New Zealand, particularly in coastal areas where there is plenty of cover. It’s aimed at everyone: large landowners, farm foresters, small farmers, and lifestyle block owners who want to stock a stream, irrigation canal or garden pond with a native species in need of protection. The minimum size for a male is 54 millimeters, and 60 millimeters for a female. www.sweetkoura.co.nz – Alexandra Several parties are already on track. Crayfish Handling: LIVE – crayfish are best kept live before cooking, keep in a chillybin, esky or poly-bin. … Pleopods are shown on the male crayfish. However, if in doubt, use the 60 millimeter measurement. Temperature should be about 8 degrees. Then there are pests and diseases. Crayfish, or spiny rock lobster, is a delicacy for many New Zealanders. Some 500 ponds are now in varying degrees of readiness. Solander Gourmet Seafood have fresh/live lobster/crayfish (in season), frozen crayfish and crayfish tails available online. Look under every likely looking rock, crack, crevice or ledge.and don’t be afraid to stick your head under rocks and kelp - you need to look deep inside the holes! You can read and download Freshwater Crayfish Farming – A Guide to Getting Started here. [A crayfish is placed in a chilly bin. • more intensive systems raise denser populations with faster growth and better yields, but at a higher cost. For example try squid, crayfish legs, and tuatua all on the same hook. One method is to tie up a large bundle of bracken and leave it on a pond bed attached to a rope. There were lots of kōura back then. John and his colleagues spend hours finding, checking and measuring their stock. They thrived in forest streams, in lakes and farm ponds, even in streams that flowed through city parks. And collecting crayfish is a favorite pastime for many. • The tail has the most meat, followed by the claws. Fishing personality Bill Hohepa points out that the names for the phases of the moon vary among the different maramataka. 1 x Cooked WA Lobster Half. 8 of 9 Josh Driscoll Josh Driscoll caught this crayfish last summer in the Queen Charlotte in the Marlborough Sounds. The catch is sorted and the kōura are either thrown back, transported to new ponds for breeding, or taken to a purging facility before being shipped out live in chilled boxes. Any crayfish that is in soft shell, or female in berry, must be returned to the water. However, certain phases of the moon are commonly seen as good or bad for fishing. This is called moulting. www.waikourasprings.info – Kaikōura Some types of rock lobster are protected and must be immediately returned to the water. By following these tips we will be able to enjoy crayfish for many years to come. Catching crayfish around Ngawi on Cape Palliser was one such regular family adventure. Both are regularly fished by commercial, recreational, and customary fishers. As a kōura grows, it sheds its outer skeleton, leaving a softer skeleton underneath that needs time to harden. However, there are areas where iwi control fishing so it pays to ask. ]Research has shown that the most humane way to kill a crayfish is to place it in the freezer for 30 minutes prior to boiling. It is illegal to catch crayfish that are too small. To limit predation by eels and perch, stream-fed ponds should be fenced or fitted with traps. A true New Zealand delicacy, the delicious Crayfish otherwise known as Spiny Rock Lobster. You must enable JavaScript to submit this form. John emptying a fyke net to check on the crayfish; a South Island crayfish ready for sale will weigh about 70-100g. The best time to catch crayfish with a pouraka was Māwharu. Stocking a pond takes time, which means it will be years before the company can guarantee a steady supply, let alone make a profit. “Keep spraying well away from the water and riparian areas.”. • there are no feed costs Try your hardest to see if the crayfish is of size on the spot, as if you find it's undersize, it will have a higher chance of survival. You’ll need to know how to cook it. [A tiny pincer is shown at the end of a rear leg on a female crayfish. The information draws on the methods used by farms in Marlborough, Kaikōura and Alexandra. The packhorse crayfish (packies) can also be found throughout New Zealand but they’re far more common in the north. No-one knows more about this than John Hollows. Lifting up rocks and prodding the banks of streams to chase kōura (or crawlies) out of their hiding places was endlessly entertaining, and ultimately rewarding if you wanted a feed. A rocky coastline is shown.]. Sort By. Measure them – 76mm minimum legal length (get a gauge to be sure) Clip or cut a portion of the tail flap (so Fisheries can determine rec vs commercial cray catches) Keep your crays in an ice slurry (this will keep crays in best condition) Re-bait your pots and do it all again tomorrow. But not any more. • After years of working with kōura, John likes them too much to eat them himself. This should be determined immediately so the crayfish can be returned to its original position. Crayfishing off the East Coast of Gisborne, New Zealand. For the most part pots are used for collecting crayfish, however some pots are used specifically for other species such as blue cod and octopus. For rules in your area, go to your local Ministry of Fisheries office or visit www.fish.govt.nz. The blame lies squarely with our failure to care for their habitat. It’s also by far the cheapest and easiest method for a DIY crayfish. They are normally caught when diving or in crayfish pots. In China and the Southern states of America, crayfish are farmed in rice paddies. Using a spear or device could harm the crayfish. This is a business initiated by forestry company Ernslaw One to gain additional revenue from the hundreds of fire ponds in its forests. Water is the main consideration. During this time, they are more vulnerable to attack by predators. The French écrevisse are harvested from ponds in a similar way. If you're using pots, it's a legal requirement that you must write your surname and initials on the buoy and pot. Learn more about how to catch rock lobster, including rules and guidelines to help keep rock lobster populations sustainable for future generations. New Zealand has a market advantage as it is free from the crayfish plague which has devastated stocks in other countries. To protect them, large branches of twiggy trees like coprosma are dropped into the middle of each pond. They inhabit rocky reefs at depths of 5 to 275 metres. It then splits and is left behind, while the new skin underneath hardens. Kōura has a hard shell-like skin so it is a crustacean, one of the large group of animals, the arthropods, so-called because their legs and bodies are protected by a jointed hard but flexible body covering. Potting is a popular form of gathering seafood here in New Zealand, both commercially and recreationally. These are all smaller in scale than Keewai, and semi-intensive in the use of supplementary feed and mechanical aeration of water in ponds and water races. Alternatively, chill, then spike them in the head and halve them lengthwise. The water source – spring, stream or rain – must be clean. He’s written it so people can avoid the years of trial and error experienced by the small group of pioneers who set up their own crayfish farms without guidance. • it takes a great many ponds to grow a sizeable population; Pleopods, small paddlelike appendages, are shown on the underside of a female. “We’re starting an industry with a blank sheet,” says John. Find out more about animal welfare regulations. One of my favorite places on the planet. Crayfish are widespread throughout New Zealand, particularly in coastal areas where there is plenty of cover. Everything he knows is in a recently-released, how-to guide that he hopes will encourage more people to do so. 2 x Cooked Crayfish Halves. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 39(5): 1061-1067. Nothing is introduced. Normally, they are only used in the event of a fire. Where income is not an incentive, he offers breeding stock for stream restoration projects. John believes the best way to ensure the survival of a species is to farm it. Labour becomes quite intensive during the short harvest season between February and April. The branches also give them a climbing platform from which they can gorge on the plankton that blooms on the surface water in summer. These act as natural refuges to save the kōura from harm, particularly when they moult. never use any spear or device that could puncture rock lobster shells. Kōura is extremely sensitive to water quality and will only live in pristine conditions. It's unethical to catch and kill a crayfish that is breeding. Riparian edges are planted with native grasses and watercress, which provide both foliage and insects for the kōura to feed on. If single, it's a male. Between 150 and 180 tonnes of live crayfish, or rock lobster, are being held in New Zealand in pots and tanks, at sea and on land, after export … Mate, I've got the perfect place for you! 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