European lobster

Homarus gammarus

4: OK - Needs improvement How we work out the ratings

What to check for

Location

England (Southwest)

Technical location

Atlantic, Northeast, Bristol Channel, English Channel (West)

Caught by

Net (gill or fixed)

Rating summary

For more information about this rating please visit: http://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/lobster.php

Technical consultation summary

Stocks of lobster in Cornish waters appear to be relatively healthy when looking at landings (which have increased, and LPUE appears to be increasing according to CIFCA shellfsh summary stats 2022, but according to studies carried out by CEFAS Biomass for males is below Maximum Sustainable Yield and for females it is slightly above MSY with higher uncertainty (CEFAS 2023). Fishing effort is above MSY for both male and female lobsters but between limit reference points and MSY and effort has increased in past years. Female lobsters appear to have a healthier population than males, perhaps indicating the success of the V-notching scheme. Stock score of 0.5. Management remains inadequate, with no effort limits, and no changes resulting from FMP publication -staying at 0.75. Lobster populations are benefitted in Cornwall by the work of the National Lobster Hatchery.

How we worked out this Rating

In the Southwest, biomass is between the limit and target reference point for males, and above the MSY target for females. Fishing pressure is above the target but below the maximum reference point.European lobster can be found from Scandinavia to North Africa. CEFAS defines six Lobster Fishery Units for England and publishes stock status reports for each area every 2 years.In the latest stock assessment, fishing mortality (F) of European lobster in the Southwest is above the level required for Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) for both males and females, but below the maximum reference point for both sexes.The spawning stock biomass (SSB) is above the MSY target for females and between the limit reference point and MSY taregt for males. Both sexes have been increasing since 2018.

European lobster

What to check for

Location

Technical location

Caught by

Rating summary

Technical consultation summary

How we worked out this Rating

References

Sustainable swaps

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