Research at the National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow

Lobster GillsThe NLH is committed to furthering the development of stock enhancement programmes and has developed the partnerships, skills, expertise and facilities to enable this work to advance; the NLH is also committed to examining some of the threats and sustainability issues facing the shellfish industry in the region.  In addition the NLH is a partner of the South West Bivalve Depuration Centre which has its own research interests.

 

Future R&D work that the NLH and Partners wish to undertake

Larval cones on view at the National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow CornwallThe research strategy incorporates two main strands of research and draws specific partners based within the South West’s HEI’s in order to use the regions resources in the most effective manner.

Immediate research

To support the development of stock enhancement work.  The groundwork undertaken by Norway and the UK that has established the potential for stock enhancement of the European Lobster has sown the seeds for several hatcheries to be established around Europe.  Further R&D is required in order to drive down the unit costs of production and to reduce risks faced by hatchery operators.  There are four main areas where our knowledge is still weak, these areas are:

  1. Carly Daniels, PhD student at the National Lobster HatcheryDietary and feeding requirements
  2. Disease and contamination issues
  3. Release strategies
  4. Site limitation due to poor water quality (water treatment development)

Over the horizon research

To examine the major threats and sustainability issues faced by the shellfish industry in the South West region.  Many of the issues that are faced by the industry are often not receiving the attention that they deserve.  For example the work undertaken by the NLH, University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory on the effects of ocean acidification on lobster larvae was the first of its kind. 

Lobster release using our latest time release systemThe NLH is committed to examining the sustainability issues faced by the industry and establishing how the fishery can be made more profitable and more sustainable.

  1. Ecotoxicology
  2. Waste management issues
  3. Fishery management issues

In order to further develop the research potential of the NLH, ongoing funding is required.  A list of our research interests is included. Click here to see our Wish List.

For all our past and current research, the abstracts and papers can be downloaded from the individual researcher biographies.  Click on Team & partners.

 

National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow, Cornwall