Crayfish Licences and Regulations from 1967

Dersley Kenyon's Crayfish Licence from 1967

A good friend of mine Stephen Farrer sent me his grandfathers old Crayfishing License from 1967!! Have a close look, it only cost R2.00 !! Now days they are almost R100,00 but you can get it from the post office. Back then you had to go to the Parks Board offices in your area, in some cases these were only found in major cities or tourist centres.

8 crayfish at 2.5 inches (approx 65mm) - the same as it is today.

What is more interesting is the conditions of the license, which is 8 crayfish at 2 and half inches. This is the same as it is today 46 years later. It kind of makes you wonder why it has not changed? Many other fish species have had bag limit and size restrictions adjusted over the years to insure the populations are healthy.

But why not with crayfish? I guess the catch returns the guys get show that at the current size and bag limit the population is sustainable. I suppose it is true, because you can go to almost any reef in some of the most heavily dive spots and still get your crayfish. Maybe they won't jump into your bag and you will have to scratch around .... but they are there.

So thumbs up to good bag and size restrictions :-)

Coatesman