4 more companies want to cash-in on Tahoe’s crayfish

Four outfitters want permission from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency to harvest crayfish from Lake Tahoe.

In July, the Tahoe Lobster Company run by Fred Jackson received permission from Nevada officials to begin pulling the nonnative species from the lake and selling them for consumption. This is the first commercial fishing operation on Lake Tahoe since the 1930s.

Besides something different to dine on, removing the crayfish helps improve the clarity of the lake. They are linked to algae blooms.

Scientists estimate there are between 200 million and 300 million of them swimming around Lake Tahoe.

The current applicants are: Tahoe Crayfish Co., Tahoe Crayfish Henrichsen, Tahoe Blue Crayfish Co., and High Sierra Ventures. Each applicant wants to operate one vessel that could ply the waters of both states.

A public hearing will be conducted before a hearing officer of the TRPA on Dec. 20 at 2pm, 128 Market St., Stateline. Applications are available to review by the public at the TRPA office. For more info, call Patrick Stone at (775) 589.5213.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report