Thanks Rupe,
Yeh I've heard that the spiny's from mountain areas need that icy cold crystal clear fast flowing shallow water, otherwise they cark it pretty quick.
I've read though that the ones from lower areas (50M ASL) are pretty hardy, it's just chasing them down that's the problem, I've also read that there are breeding programs (like with redclaw) to get the best growout etc and they were reccomended in a dpi pamphlet about possible new aquaculture crops... Other than those blurbs in documents and a quick lazy post on this forum haven't and haven't really chased it up too hard. (Was hoping to jag someone here that did) 
Theres quite a few of the Euastacus species from different locales, I know the Gippsland cray is protected, but thats the only one I've heard of, hopefully these aren't 'cos I'd love a chance to grow some out even if it's for the aquarium.
Thanks for your replies hey, catch up with you sometime.
Kri.