What are the solutions to this problem?
The rusty crayfish is a quickly spreading species. To contain and eventually remove it from invaded areas, we have to take action now before the situation gets more out of hand. The following are some ways in which this problem can be solved:
- use rusty crayfish specific chemicals in the water that work similar to pesticides
- stop using rusty crayfish as bait
- make stricter laws about traveling with and carrying rusty crayfish
- introduce predators like smallmouth bass into invaded areas
- educate anglers, swimmers, and fishers about the problem
- use devices like catchpits to lure, trap, and remove rusty crayfish from existing areas
- thoroughly clean anything that has been in contact with rusty crayfish
- try to create a demand for rusty crayfish so fishers will fish them and sell them as food
- SPREAD AWARENESS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!!!
How can we make this happen?
Some of these solutions take a lot of work, while others are very simple. To use the pesticides, we would need permission to put them in the waters. To make laws banning these as bait, we would need to create a bill and support it to become a law. To introduce predators, we would need to do a lot of research about the predators and their impacts before releasing them. To use catchpits and other devices, we would also need permission and funding to do so.
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Other methods are simple, effective, and can be done by anyone who chooses to. Anyone can stop using rusty crayfish as bait. Anyone can campaign for a law or just send an email to a representative. Anyone can take precaution and wash equipment when they are near a rusty crayfish. Anyone can start buying lots of rusty crayfish to increase demand. Anyone can definitely spread awareness about this issue. To spread awareness, send this website to someone, research more about this topic, or just tell someone about it. Every voice counts when it comes to a collective effort like this.
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