Status of the narrow-clawed crayfish in Turkish fishery

Photo credit: Mykola Fedorenko (Ukraine)

Review: Abdel Rahman El Gamal (Founder of the website)

The Narrow-clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus) occurs in several freshwater bodies in Turkey. According to FAO, crayfish appeared in the Turkish fishery in 1977 with 3885 tons. The largest crayfish catch occurred in 1985 with 6224 tons before declining to lower catch. In recent years, the catch of crayfish seems somehow stable amounting to 610, 492, 532, 582, 532, and 544 tons during the years from 2011 till 2016 respectively.

The decline in the crayfish catch has been attributed to the crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) which seemed affecting the catch of crayfish since the mid-1980s.

The inserted picture shows the crayfish caught in one of the Turkish lakes whereas some lakes such as Lake Eğirdir represent a rich source of fish and crayfish in Turkey.

In addition to the locally consumed crayfish, a part of the catch is processed and exported especially to Scandinavia, particularly into Sweden.

 

 

Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=14467