You might have walked past its pink
hued exterior as you visit the town for its exciting food scene, but just behind the walls a
pioneering charity has been leading the charge in stock enhancement and research for more
than two decades.
This year sees The National Lobster Hatchery celebrate a milestone twenty-five years since
its grand opening which took place on 20th October 2000.
Founded as a preventative method to a potential stock collapse and a direct reaction to the
visible decline in local lobster populations. Their pioneering stock enhancement program to
this day, continues to address the high demand for lobsters, helping to mitigate the
environmental and economic consequences of a potential stock collapse in Cornwall and the
Isles of Scilly, home to the UK’s leading seafood economy.
Part of what makes The National Lobster Hatchery so unique is the collaboration and
breadth of stakeholders displayed across their three charitable outputs; stock enhancement,
research and education. This is demonstrated well by their work alongside some of the
restaurants their fisher network supply, aiding fundraising and awareness in a closed circle
sustainable supply chain.
To celebrate their journey so far and giving fans and supporters a bigger insight into their
affectionately known ‘Lobster Land’ the team will be sharing interviews from the humans that
make it all possible, they will delve into the never before seen image archive and their first
film ‘A Clawsome Tale’ will premiere giving an insight into their work including the unique
relationship with their fisher network told from the perspective of a lobster, the NLH team and
one of their brood supplying fishermen.
However to really showcase their impact the team have set themselves a challenge that will
require meticulous planning, and mother nature to play along as they attempt ‘The
Releasathon’ carrying out 25 baby lobster releases, in 25 different Cornish locations in just
25 days. Spanning the length of the county including the Isles of Scilly, the small team will
use boat, dive and shore release methods along with some of their friends and supporters to
attempt their largest release period to date.
A small organisation that punches way above its size, be sure to keep in touch with the
hatchery team as there may be a few more surprises under their shells.
