Clare Fischer, Marine Conservation Society  ‘The Channel Island of Sark has become the first place in the British Isles to fully protect the crawfish. The amendment in the Island’s fishing laws will last for at least three years. We’re a small place so we can get some things done quickly but it would be great to see the other Channel Islands and the UK protecting this species before it’s too late. Related to the lobster, the crawfish, (Palinurus elephas) also known as the European spiny lobster, is recognisable because it has no claws but instead, spikey multi-purpose front legs. It can grow to 50cm in length and weigh several kilograms. The Island’s Sea Fisheries Authority consulted with local fisherman after a survey was carried out by Sark-based underwater film-maker, Sue Daly, last summer.

Crawfish were fished almost to extinction in the 1960’s and 70’s. Sue, who’s been diving the waters around the Channel Islands since the late 1980s said she rarely saw crawfish: “I’d hardly seen any crawfish, maybe one or two adults a year and some years none at all – yet they used to be plentiful.”

Then, about four year ago, Sue saw a change: “In 2014 I began seeing juvenile crawfish on the reefs around Sark, since then I’ve seen more and larger ones, but was concerned that, without protection, these wonderful creatures would simply be fished out again.”

At the same time, crawfish in increasing numbers were reported to MCS around the other Channel Islands and the south-west coast of England. The Island’s Sea Fisheries Committee had discussions with local fishers and proposed to protect the animals within the island’s three-mile territorial limit. The proposal was supported by the island’s government in January and the amendment to Sark’s fishing law has now been enacted.

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