UK lobster research
A new study is currently being carried out into the life of lobsters at the Deep Sea Life Centre in Hull. Using the North Sea Tank to simulate their natural habitat, a sample of wild lobsters has been fitted with sophisticated tracking devices, which allows scientists to unlock the mysteries of the European Lobster. The self-contained devices will be attached to the backs of wild lobsters to log their behavioural patterns such as the migration, fighting, feeding and reproduction and will allow the comparison of different behaviours and distributions between males, females and juveniles. It will give scientists vital data that has massive implications for the future of this commercial species and its sustainability.
Nick Fleming of the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee said: "This study will finally allow us to obtain vital information unravelling the behavioural patterns of this species, which thrives off our coastline. With this information, we can set this region apart in terms of ground-breaking research and help secure the future of this species."
It is hoped that, in time, lobsters will be tracked in the wild so further research can be undertaken to provide a greater understanding of this species life history and get a broader view of the issues affecting lobsters in their natural habitat. Research by the University of Hull's Centre for Coastal Studies says the crustaceans may use trapping pots as a source of food and shelter. Those which are too small escape or are thrown back into the sea. The Yorkshire Coast is now one of the UK's largest lobster fishing areas and a few months ago while working on an exercise to help lobsters and crabs to breed, Scientists from Scarborough, working with fishermen in Bridlington, were given a £10,000 grant from Defra to continue their research. Dr Magnus Johnson, head of the centre for coastal studies, said at the time, "Because of the gentle way in which trapped crabs and lobsters are treated, the vast majority of the animals returned to the sea survive to forage another day”.
Squid hits the menu
For decades it was merely a slightly exotic option for holidaymakers in Spain, Italy and Greece, but according to Seafish, the abundance and relatively low price of squid in the UK makes it the ideal dinner choice for adventurous consumers keen to cook ‘responsibly’ and for those wanting to keep a tight hold on the purse strings. Squid as a dish is a common feature on menus in Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey, often appearing on menus as calamari. Further afield, squid is a common ingredient in sashimi and sushi in Japan and the cuisine of other Asian countries such as China and South Korea. Sales of squid are increasing by as much as 49% a year and fresh squid is now available in most supermarkets and fishmongers. Once only caught for bait in UK waters, squid is fast becoming the ingredient of choice and demand for squid has prompted Seafish to carry out research into the UK fishery to investigate the best catching methods and understand more about its sustainability.
Over the past year, Seafish gear technologists have undertaken sea trips on vessels engaged in the targeted squid fishery, in both South-west England and North-east Scotland, to answer some of the key questions about squid. Mike Montgomerie, the project co-ordinator said, “The good news is that we found only a minimum amount of discarding taking place within this fishery, meaning it is mostly just squid being caught in the trawls, this makes the catching method very sustainable for the fishery”. Aberdeen University has also been studying the biological and environmental aspects of UK squid stocks. The research, which will be published in late 2008, plans to go some way towards producing a relevant method of stock assessment for squid in UK waters.
Limited inshore jigging for Squid takes place in several areas around the Irish coast; there is currently a small squid fishery in Donegal Bay in the winter months. The best time for jigging for squid is early in the morning just before sunrise and around dusk, the season usually begins at the end of July and continues until the end of November, weather permitting. At present the inshore fishery for squid is mainly done from small boats with standard sea angling rods and reels with 30lb mono, an 8oz to 10oz lead and an assortment of squid lures, each rod usually fishes 3 lures at a time in depths ranges between 15 and 30 metres. Almost every part of a squid has some use in cooking; the only bits which aren't edible are the hard beak and the gladius, a feather-shaped blade that supports the body.
Fishermen facing bait supply problem
Now that spring has arrived and the weather is beginning to improve, inshore fishermen are going to sea with their pots to begin another season. However, one major worry for them is (apart from prices staying reasonably strong throughout the season) the sourcing of affordable bait to use in their gear.
Last year proved to be a difficult one for pot fishermen as bait was noticeably more expensive compared to previous years. This year seems no different as bait prices have rocketed with bait costing as much as €600 a tonne - €12 a carton. Getting affordable bait is now a major concern for inshore fishermen and their co-ops. This problem has been compounded as notification has been given to trawler owners warning them that it is illegal for them to land undersized and poor quality fish to fishermen in the inshore sector who use it as bait for crab and lobster pots. Trawlermen must continue to dump these fish over the side even though it is already dead. Current legislation is also prohibiting inshore pot fishermen from catching their own bait and many fishermen feel they should be allowed to carry and fish one or two trammel nets for non quota species such as Ballan Wrasse which in the past were commonly used as bait.
While discussing the bait issue with numerous fishermen at the Irish Skipper Expo in Galway I learnt that there are however some bait supplying companies both in Ireland and the UK who have been supplying bait for some of the vivier crabbers as well as numerous other fishermen with all sizes of fishing vessels. These companies can target specific fisheries with baits already tested by pot fishermen and can be used for Crab, lobster, spider crab, velvets, green crab, prawn shrimp and whelk.
If you have any inshore stories or photographs of interest to Irish Skipper readers or indeed any tips or innovative ideas that you would like to share with other fishermen, contact John on 086-8320007 or e-mail jrafferty@eircom.net
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