Eleri Williams

• BSc (Hons) Marine Biology
• The effect of temperature on growth and mortality of hatchery-reared early benthic stage European lobsters (Homarus gammarus)

The European lobster has a species range expanding from Norway to Morocco with climate warming predictions of up to +8.49°C on the southern end of the range. Early benthic stage (EBS) crustaceans including the European lobster are highlighted to be more susceptible to warming oceans, threatening European lobster populations in the south. In hatchery conditions, EBS European lobsters survive successfully at 20-21°C but previous research has indicated higher temperatures may increase mortality and cause the life cycle to become sub-optimal. In this study, lobsters at 23°C and 25°C were observed to have lower survival rates. Low survival rates could cause a northern range shift and increase reliance on exportation, increasing the carbon footprint of the industry. This study also suggested higher growth rates associated with higher temperatures. Further developments may increase the potential for hatchery and aquaculture outputs with reduced production costs and carbon emissions.

Funding source: Newcastle University

Project supervisor: Dr Ben Wigham and Jake Norton