Of the approximately 500 known species of crayfish worldwide, only five are indigenous to Europe's freshwater bodies, and Belarus is home to two: the broad-fingered crayfish and the narrow-fingered (long-clawed) crayfish.
Of the approximately 500 known species of crayfish worldwide, only five are indigenous to Europe's freshwater bodies, and Belarus is home to two: the broad-fingered crayfish and the narrow-fingered (long-clawed) crayfish. The broad-fingered crayfish has been included in the Red Book of Belarus since 1981, making its capture prohibited.
The narrow-fingered crayfish is the species subject to commercial and recreational fishing in our country. Unlike its Red Book counterpart, the narrow-fingered crayfish is less demanding regarding habitat conditions, utilises the food base more effectively, exhibits higher growth rates, and has greater fecundity. Nevertheless, its capture must comply with specific requirements established by the Rules for the Capture, Procurement and (or) Purchase of Wild Animals Not Classified as Game or Fish (approved by Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of 02.06.2006 No. 699).
The closed season for catching narrow-fingered crayfish coincides with the main spawning ban period for fishing. Furthermore, it is prohibited to catch egg-bearing females and females with larvae throughout the entire year.
For personal use, citizens are permitted to catch crayfish using crayfish traps (no more than three per person, and of specified dimensions), and they must not be left unattended. Catching crayfish by hand is also allowed, but only during daylight hours. The use of lighting devices and watercraft is prohibited. A fisherman can catch no more than 2 kg of crayfish per day. Additionally, a commercial size limit is established: the length of a crayfish must be at least 10.5 cm.
Senior State Inspector
Lepel Inter-district Inspectorate of the Protection of Fauna and Flora
I.V. Karaga