Form CRAY2: Application for a licence to keep non-native crayfish
Use the CRAY2 form to apply for a licence to keep non-native crayfish in England and Wales
Applies to England and Wales
Documents
Details
Use this form to apply to the Fish Health Inspectorate for a licence to keep non-native species of crayfish listed in the Schedule to The Prohibition of Keeping Live Fish (Crayfish) Order 1996 (as amended), made under the Import of Live Fish (England and Wales) Act 1980. Except for:
- signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus)
- spiny cheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus)
- red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)
- virile crayfish (Orconectes virilis)
- marbled crayfish (Procambarus fallax f. virginalis (Procambarus virginalis)
Natural England (NE) is the licensing authority for the management of the species listed above in England. The email contact for NE is invasive-alien-species-licence@naturalengland.org.uk
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is the licensing authority for the management of the species listed above in Wales. The email contact for NRW is specieslicence@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
Trapping
You must not trap non-native crayfish without written consent from the Environment Agency (EA) in England or NRW in Wales.
The EA is the licensing authority for the trapping of crayfish under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
You also need permission from the landowner and any relevant angling clubs.
Contact the EA: Permission to trap crayfish, eels, elvers, salmon and sea trout
Last updated 13 October 2023 + show all updates
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Application form update from v2.3 to v2.4.
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Body text amended to add the required statement
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Form updated to the latest version (2.3.)
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Data protection statement updated and form version number amended.
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A new version of this form now published
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to include links to NRW.
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New guidance now published for permissions required for non-native crayfish
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First published.