European lobster (Homarus gammarus)

Fishery

The European lobster is a decapod crustacean that is targeted using baited traps, a fishing gear often referred to as ‘pots’ or ‘creels’. To participate in the Isle of Man fishery a vessel must have a crab and lobster fishing licence. Each licence has a maximum pot limit of 500 pots, of which, no more than 300 can be set within the 0-3 nautical mile zone. Pots within the 0-3 nautical mile zone must have escape gaps to allow juvenile and undersized animals to escape. The current minimum conservation reference size is 87 mm carapace length (CL), which is approximate to the estimated size at functional maturity observed in the population. There is also a prohibition on retaining berried lobster, which is a conservation measure aimed to increase the larval supply within the population.

Life Cycle

The European lobster can grow up to 1 m in length, and is blue on top and pale yellow below, with a large asymmetrical set of claws. This species grows by a process of ecdysis, otherwise known as moulting. European lobsters have a varied diet which consists of crabs, molluscs, sea urchins, sea stars and polychaete worms
Female European lobsters reach sexual maturity between the ages of 5 and 7. Spawning usually takes place in summer and the female carries the eggs on her abdomen for 9-12 months by cementing them to her pleopods. Egg-bearing females are called “berried”. Observations of early benthic phase European lobster in the wild are limited.

Habitat & Distribution

The European lobster can be found on rocky bottoms living in holes and excavated tunnels from the lower shore to depths of 60 m, though in Manx waters they are most commonly found in depths up to 30 m.