Boosting chances for lobster numbers
THE Cornwall-based National Lobster Hatchery is getting support from a marine partnership to develop a new kind of larval rearing vessel, which can be used to improve lobster survival in the hatchery and ultimately help boost lobster stocks.
The National Lobster Hatchery – a marine conservation, research and education charity based in Padstow – works to improve the fortunes of the commercial species, the European Lobster, and a vital element of the hatchery’s work focuses on the larval stage of the lobster life cycle.
In the wild, the survival rate at the larval stage is very low. The National Lobster Hatchery seeks to improve survival at this early, vulnerable stage of the lobster’s life and release them back into the wild at an age where they are less vulnerable and more able to fend for themselves.
A female lobster can carry in the region of 20,000 eggs under their abdomen. However, only one of these is expected to survive in the wild. With skilful and careful application of modern technology, the National Lobster Hatchery can improve this survival rate by about 1,000 times. Dr Carly Daniels, of the National Lobster Hatchery, said: “We currently use modified conical vessels to keep the larvae in suspension. Now, based on our own preliminary work, we believe that it may be possible to create an enhanced larval vessel with conditions that enable greater survival rates.”
Marine-i is working with National Lobster Hatchery to develop an innovative prototype for testing. Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Marine-i is designed to help the marine technology sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly grow through harnessing the potential of research and innovation, and is a collaboration between the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, the Cornwall College Group, Cornwall Marine Network, Cornwall Development Company and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.
Ruadan Geraghty, from Marine-i partner the University of Plymouth, said: “We are carrying out exhaustive research into the best materials to deliver the ultimate aim of improved lobster larval survival. We are aiming for materials to be sustainable and recyclable, as well as sufficiently robust to withstand the rigours of the marine environment.”
The National Lobster Hatchery will test the prototype in the hatchery from the start of the new larval season this month, with the help of Marine-i partner, the University of Exeter. Dr Daniels added: “If the new larval vessel is proven to achieve higher survival rates than the vessels we currently use, then we will look to move to large-scale production of the new vessels for future use.”
Professor Lars Johanning, programme director for Marine-i, said: “Marine-i are delighted to help accelerate this exciting innovation through the academic and research expertise within the Marine-i partnership. This could help meet the challenge of global food security for future generations as well as strengthen the local economy. If successful, the new larval vessel is likely to have worldwide applications.”