Tag: Lobster

Reports

NorwLobster: Proceedings from a workshop on Norway lobster fisheries in the Nordic Countries held in Copenhagen 13th and 14th of May 2024

Published:

06/09/2024

Authors:

Gunnar Þórðarson, Sigurjón Arason

Supported by:

AG Fisk

There is considerable variation between countries how the species (Nephrops) is caught. Some countries rely largely on creeling (pot fishing) while bottom trawling is the common approach in other regions. Most common in Scandinavia is a combination of both systems, trawling in open sea and deep water, and pot fishing within fjords in shallow water. There are no considerable conflicts between the two groups.

There are pros and cons in both trap fishing and trawling for Nephrops. Both methods have some environmental impact, and both affect the Nephrops stock. Both methods need to respond to increased demands on awareness in environmental issues and sustainable fishing.

The effects of bottom trawling on potential habitat destruction were discussed. Recent developments in fishing gear technology were introduced and evaluation of future directions explored.

Common outcome from the meeting was a need for further research and lack of knowledge on stock assessment and biology. Another outcome was the need for all stakeholders to share information and increase cooperation in the future.

Participants agreed on the severity of the black market for Nephromas, and the damage it does for the value chain, and making stock assessment insignificant. Discharging is another important point regarding running an economic sustainable fishery.

Homepage: https://norwlobster.com/

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Reports

Lobster trap fishing

Published:

01/09/2013

Authors:

Heather Philp, Vigfús Þórarinn Ásbjörnsson, Ragnheiður Sveinþórsdóttir

Supported by:

AVS Reference Number R 043‐10

Lobster trap fishing

In the project, new fishing areas were defined for lobster trapping, they were tested and evaluated for feasibility. An optimal time was also found before the traps were visited after they had been laid. Data showing seasonal fluctuations, both in terms of catches and catch values, were reviewed, and new data were collected and defined. Markets for live lobsters were examined along with prices according to the seasons. The results of the project show that a large lobster is the most common catch in traps in Iceland, in fact the lobster is so large that traditional British packages are too small for it. It is also gratifying that the time of year that seems to be the biggest catch is the time when the highest price is obtained in the markets for live lobsters. New fishing areas that were defined proved to be good and promising for the future.

In the project, new fishing grounds were identified for the purpose of lobster trap fishing. They were explored and assessed. Also, the optimal “soak” time for the fishing was determined. A lot of historical data were explored to show how the catches varied during the year - both catches and the value of the catch - and new data were collected. Markets for live lobster were explored by value and time of year. The results of the project show that big lobsters are the most common catch in traps in Iceland. And in fact, the lobsters are so big that the packaging used for the lobster in the UK is too small. It's positive for Iceland that the time of year when catches are highest coincides with the time of year when prices are the highest too. New fishing grounds were identified which were both productive and promising for the future.

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Reports

Muscle spoilage in Nephrops

Published:

01/09/2010

Authors:

Guðmundur H. Gunnarsson

Supported by:

AVS Research Fund and NORA

Muscle spoilage in Nephrops

The project worked with the lobster industry in Iceland to identify the causes and define solutions to reduce muscle necrosis in lobster. Such myocardial infarction had increased greatly in recent years for no apparent reason. Initially, it was thought that the probable cause of the muscular dystrophy was a Hematodinium infection in the strain, but such an infection has caused considerable shocks in the Scottish lobster strain. It was confirmed that there was no association between Hematodinium infection and myocardial infarction. Subsequently, the emphasis of the project had to be changed. Extensive morphological studies of lobster were able to link muscle necrosis to enzyme activity in lobster hepatopancrea. Based on these results, a solution was defined to reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction. With improved cooling and treatment with enzyme inhibitors, muscle lobster necrosis has been significantly reduced.

This project was carried out in close association with the Icelandic Nephrops fishing and processing industry. The aim was to define reasons and propose solutions to reduce muscle spoilage in Nephrops. Such muscle spoilage had increased significantly during the last few years without any know reason. The original hypothesis of the project was that there might be a correlation between infection of the parasite Hematodininum and muscle spoilage. Such parasitic infection has resulted in lower quality products in the Scottish Nephrops industry for the last decade. In the project it was confirmed that such infection is not the underlying factor for muscle spoilage. This resulted in a change of direction in the project. Based on morphological analysis of Nephrops it was observed that the muscle spoilage was correlated with enzyme activity in the hepatopancrea. Based on this observation it was possible to propose a code of practice to reduce the onset of muscle spoilage. The code of practice is based on improved chilling and use of enzyme inhibitor during the storage of the Nephrops from catch to frozen product.

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