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Seafood Watch - Seafood Guide

Crayfish

SEAFOOD	RATING	MARKET NAMES	WHERE CAUGHT	HOW CAUGHT
Crayfish		Crawfish, Crawdads, Mudbugs	U.S.	Farmed
Crayfish		Crawfish, Crawdads, Mugbugs	Imported	Farmed

Crayfish

U.S. farmed crayfish are a “Best Choice” as they are native to the region where they are farmed and the farming methods used are ecologically responsible.

Consumer Note

Live crayfish available in the U.S. are farmed domestically and are a “Best Choice.” A significant portion of frozen crayfish, however, is imported from countries where there are problems with farming techniques. When buying frozen crayfish, look for the country of origin label to ensure you’re purchasing U.S. farm-raised crayfish.

Summary

In many respects, crayfish farming is very environmentally friendly. Crayfish are farmed in either agricultural ponds or in rotation with a crop, typically rice. The crop is grown and harvested, and then the land is flooded in preparation for aquaculture. Submerged vegetation

provides the basis for a food web that sustains the crayfish.

Problems arise when crayfish regularly escape from fish farms and establish invasive populations. In their introduced range, crayfish heavily disrupt aquatic

ecosystems and threaten native crayfish stocks. Overall, the damage in the U.S. is only of moderate concern, as the bulk of U.S. production comes from Louisiana, where the species is native. However, most imported crayfish come from China, where crayfish are not native. Their escape from Chinese aquaculture operations has caused considerable ecological damage and is considered a critical conservation concern.

Scientific Reports About Our Ratings

Farmed Crayfish Seafood Watch Report
Aquaculture Fact Cards

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