Will a Pest Designation Spell the End for the American Crayfish?

American crayfish chop up water plants with their pincers. (© Pixta)

All you need is some bait on the end of a stick. (© Pixta)

A family group engrossed in crayfish fishing. (© Pixta)

In 2009, American crayfish wholesaled for ¥2,000 per kilogram at the Tsukiji market. (© Kawamoto Daigo)

A crayfish dish served at a French restaurant. (© Kawamoto Daigo)

A two-person serving of signal crayfish is only ¥400, cheap for a hotel restaurant in Tokyo (January 2022). (© Kawamoto Daigo)

Spicy steamed crayfish is the perfect complement to beer, making it likely to be a hit with Japanese diners. (© Kawamoto Daigo)