| | Fred Heinen of Branch harvesting crawfish. (Photo by Bruce Schultz) |
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| | John Sonnier, research associate at the Rice Research Station, removing crawfish from burrow. (Photo by Bruce Schultz) |
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| | Fresh-caught crawfish. (Photo by Bruce Schultz) |
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Whether you like them fried, boiled or in a stew, crawfish are a Louisiana favorite. And for the next few months, crawfish can be found on dinner tables and in backyard boils across the state.
Crawfishing in Louisiana conjures up images of people maneuvering boats through sloughs and bayous. In reality, most of Louisiana’s crawfish production comes from ponds located in southwest and south central Louisiana.
In 2007, 1,305 crawfish producers harvested 109 million pounds on 168,000 acres, a yield increase of 37 percent from 2006 and a 29 percent acreage increase, according to John Westra of the LSU AgCenter Agricultural Economics Department.
The amount of wild crawfish caught last year dropped by 91 percent to only 1.35 million pounds compared to 14.45 million pounds in 2006, Westra’s statistics show. The number of producers for wild crawfish dropped by 79 percent, from 1,314 in 2006 to only 280 in 2007.
Crawfish Outlook for 2008
Lack of rainfall during the fall and cool water temperatures seemed to contribute to later-than-normal harvest for some producers.
Historically, most of the crawfish from ponds are harvested during March, April and May.
Rainfall patterns so far this year have been generally favorable but with high fuel prices, rainfall amounts (and frequency) and temperatures for the remainder of the season may influence how long ponds remain productive.
While the New Orleans market is not what it was before Hurricane Katrina, it has the potential for growth as more residents return or new ones take up residence in the city. Also, consumers who have moved away from New Orleans, but within range of getting crawfish from Louisiana producers, could give the market an added boost by introducing crawfish to their new friends and neighbors through traditional events called crawfish “boils.” These boils could provide the impetus of marketing crawfish to new locations.
Crawfish Culture
Crawfish are commonly grown in rotation with rice. The typical rotation involves the planting of rice in the spring. After the permanent flood for rice, usually in June, crawfish are stocked into the pond at a rate of 50-60 pounds per acre. In August, the pond is drained, and the rice is harvested shortly afterward. The field is typically re-flooded in October. Crawfish harvesting can begin in January or February and run through May or June.
Producers often harvest crawfish into June or July and leave the field fallow until the following rice planting season.
Market size of crawfish is typically a result of crawfish density in ponds. Lower densities usually lead to larger crawfish and smaller crawfish is usually a result of higher density. While larger crawfish are typically desired by many consumers, often the smaller crawfish will yield a higher portion of eatable meat.
LSU AgCenter research has focused primarily on the production and cultivation of crawfish and environmental concerns related to production such as water quality in crawfish ponds and effluent issues. The research takes place at the Rice Research Station near Crowley and the Aquaculture Research Station near the LSU AgCenter’s Ben Hur Research Farm in Baton Rouge. One of the vexing issues related to crawfish research is trying to duplicate natural conditions in a laboratory setting.
Research
The two scientists responsible for conducting much of the crawfish research for the LSU AgCenter are Ray McClain at the Rice Station and Robert Romaire, resident coordinator of the Aquaculture Station.
The Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board funds research that investigates numerous aspects of the crawfish industry. Projects have included crawfish survival rates in summer and winter burrows, the effects of stocking on yields and bait preferences of crawfish in cold water, development of a cost-efficient crawfish broodstock enhancement protocol, development and evaluation of an inventory method for assessing crawfish population in rice/crawfish rotational ponds, a study of possible relationship between rainfall patterns and crawfish production, effects of the Chinese crawfish tariff and effects of White Spot Syndrome Virus.
Read research highlights.
Crawfish Facts
- There are 32 recognized species of crawfish in Louisiana, but only two are considered economically important—red swamp crawfish and white river crawfish. The red swamp crawfish comprises more than 80 percent of the industry catch.
- A female crawfish will typically have 300 eggs, but depending on size, she can have a range of 100-700 eggs.
- Crawfish have been used as a commercial food source since the early 1800s. It was not until the 1950s that the first experimental crawfish ponds were established.
- A select or No. 1 grade crawfish will weigh approximately one ounce.
- Louisiana produces approximately 90 percent of the nation’s crawfish, with 70 percent of that being consumed locally.
- When the catch is good, traps will contain 1-1.5 pounds of crawfish. In some extreme conditions, producers have caught upwards of 6 pounds per trap.
The LSU AgCenter is a member of the Louisiana State University System. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, it provides educational services in every parish and conducts research that contributes to the economic development of the state. The LSU AgCenter does not grant degrees nor benefit from tuition increases. The LSU AgCenter plays an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, enhancing rural areas and the environment, and improving the quality of life through its family and 4-H youth programs.
(This AgCenter Lead was updated by Linda Benedict on March 7, 2008.)