Gordon Ramsay Shows How To Catch & Cook Crayfish

TL;DR

American signal crayfish have invaded British rivers, wiping out native crayfish and causing damage to riverbanks. To fight back, people are encouraged to eat as many crayfish as possible.

Transcript

they're overfed oversexed and they're over here the american signal crayfish has taken over in the 1970s freshwater crayfish tails were all the rage but our puny native crayfish were considered too small so farmers started breeding the fatter and meteor american signal crayfish big mistake the Americans took over and 30 years on have invaded 85% of... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 American signal crayfish were introduced to Britain for their larger tails but have become an invasive species, invading 85% of British rivers.
• ❓ These crayfish pose a threat to native crayfish populations and cause damage to riverbanks.
• 😅 Catching and eating crayfish is seen as a way to combat the invasion and protect the environment.
• 💀 Crayfish are attracted to dead fish as bait, making it easier to catch them using traps.
• 👋 Winter is not a good time to catch crayfish, as they hibernate and become less active.
• 🌥️ American signal crayfish are larger and darker in color compared to native crayfish.
• 😅 Eating crayfish can be a sustainable and cost-effective way to enjoy seafood.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did American signal crayfish invade British rivers?

American signal crayfish were brought to Britain in the 1970s for their larger tails and were mistakenly released into the wild. They quickly reproduced and spread, invading 85% of British rivers.

Q: How do crayfish cause damage to riverbanks?

Crayfish burrow deep into riverbanks to escape the cold during winter. Their burrowing can weaken the banks, leading to erosion and damage to the surrounding ecosystem.

Q: Why are people encouraged to eat the crayfish?

By eating crayfish, people can help control the population of American signal crayfish and protect native crayfish and riverbanks. It is seen as a sustainable solution to the invasive species problem.

Q: How can people catch crayfish?

People can catch crayfish by setting traps baited with dead fish. They need to obtain a license from the Environment Agency to do so, but the crayfish themselves are free.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• American signal crayfish have taken over British rivers, invading 85% of them and wiping out native crayfish.

• These crayfish are also causing damage to riverbanks by burrowing deep to escape the cold.

• To combat the invasion, people are encouraged to catch and eat as many crayfish as they can.