Qualifications
MRes Applied Fish Biology (University of Plymouth) 2000 – 2001
BSc Biology (University of Plymouth) 1993 - 1997
Colin Wells
Senior Hatchery Technician colin.wells@nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk
Career Aims
Within the National Lobster Hatchery, I am constantly aiming to improve the survival and growth rates of larval lobsters to obtain maximum production efficiency. This allows us to release the most lobsters possible to help maintain the lobster stocks around Cornwall. The main areas I work on to achieve this are: water quality, nutrition, recirculation system technology and husbandry.
Research Interests
All areas of lobster rearing in a hatchery environment and the environment they are released into.
Academic Involvement
I currently lecture on the Foundation degree courses at Cornwall College, Newquay and the Shellfish Purification Course run at the NLH. I also supervise undergraduate and postgraduate student projects hosted at the NLH.
Publications
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C - Effect of an insect juvenile hormone analogue, Fenoxycarb® on development and oxygen uptake by larval lobsters Homarus gammarus (L.) 2008 by Katie Arnold & Colin Wells
Current Research
The use of chitin and chitosan to remove metal ions and organo-metals from seawater.
The effects of ozone on larval European lobsters.
The use of analytical chemistry as a hatchery management tool to monitor incoming water quality.
Previous research projects
The toxicity of intermittent chloramine-T exposure on growth, oxygen uptake and gill morphology of larval lobsters, Homarus gammarus.
MSc project by Nicola Wilson at the University of Plymouth, in collaboration with the National Lobster Hatchery 2007.
Effect of an insect juvenile hormone analogue Fenoxycarb on development and oxygen uptake in the larval lobster, Homarus gammarus (l.) by Katie Arnold & Colin Wells
MSc Applied Marine Science project by Katie Arnold at the University of Plymouth in collaboration with The National Lobster Hatchery (September 2006) – the published paper is available for download above.

The National Lobster Hatchery, South Quay, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8BL | Registered Charity No. 1105434