Research Wish List
In order to further develop the research potential of the NLH, ongoing funding is required. This will enable us to create the reputation, links and capacity to draw down further funding from both Europe and elsewhere, for aquaculture and fisheries R&D. This will help us to create a centre of excellence for shellfish research that will be funded both through the visitor centre and through external sources. The NLH would like support to enable it to host research in the areas outlined below, it would also like support in attending conferences and exchanging knowledge as well as bursaries that will enable the NLH to attract high calibre Master students for specific ongoing projects.
Several subject areas therefore require continued development and we are looking to acquire additional funding in order to examine these.
Immediate research
- Diet development – assessment of nutritional and feeding requirements during larval stages, how can the nutritional requirements be met at the various stages and then how can the unit costs of production be reduced?
- Diet development – development of a post larval pellet to reduce costs of production (enabling operators to release juveniles at a greater size).
- Disease issues - assessment of bacterial fauna in association with green water and kriesel systems.
- Disease issues – A more general long term assessment of the pathogens associated with culture situations.
- Disease issues – further development of the use of biotic supplements in conjunction with the development of biofloc systems.
- Release strategies – Habitat enhancement work (tailored to particular species, in conjunction with Offshore Renewable Energy Devices. Also in conjunction with enhancing the release of juveniles and reducing predation.
- Novel systems for the culture of post larval animals (cage culture development).
- Development of suitable systems to ensure continuity of water quality in estuarine and coastal areas.
Over the horizon research
Several areas require examination and the hatchery is seeking additional funding to undertake projects in these fields:
- To explore the potential use of shellfish by products to be used in filtration systems to remove transition metals.
- To ascertain the toxicological effects of specific pesticides used within the agriculture industry on larval lobster survival and development.
- To examine the lethal and sub lethal toxicological effects of hatchery disinfectants upon juvenile lobsters.
- To further examine the synergistic impacts of Ocean acidification and climate change on the South West’s lobster fishery.
- The benefits and potential for a maximum landing size for lobster in the region, to improve the long term sustainability and profitability of the fishery.
The National Lobster Hatchery, South Quay, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8BL | Registered Charity No. 1105434