3,156 baby lobsters released on the Isles of Scilly

Following the success of last years’ release of 1,000 lobsters between Bryher and Tresco we jumped at the chance of doing another  release; only this time, our biggest release on record with 3,156 beautiful little lobsters.  The interesting thing is that these baby lobsters have spent the last few months growing in our new Aquahive (our state-of-the-art lobster housing) and the colouration and vigour of these lobsters was really striking.

At 5.30 this morning, the lobsters were packed up (still in their individual cells so they don’t eat each other!) and transported to Penzance; loaded onto the Scillonian and shipped across to the Isles of Scilly.  Steve Watt, the Maritime Officer for the Isles of Scilly Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority (IFCA) met Charlie, Carly and the lobsters to take them over to meet the divers. Dave McBride and Tim Alsop organised the dive for us and delivered the lobsters by hand to the seabed on the east side of St Mary’s.

I have just spoken with Carly and she says the release was very successful; it’s just the team that were recovering from hyperthermia, the early start, the radio interviews and TV appearances!

Thank you once again to the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company and Hell Bay Hotel who have sponsored the release and helped organise the trip. They have also offered a raffle prize for our summer raffle of

A LUXURY TWO NIGHT BREAK ON THE ISLES OF SCILLY FOR TWO ADULTS

WITH SKYBUS FLIGHTS FROM EITHER LANDS END OR NEWQUAY AIRPORTS

STAYING FOR TWO NIGHTS DINNER BED & BREAKFAST

AT THE MAGNIFICENT HELL BAY HOTEL, BRYER, ISLES OF SCILLY

You can purchase raffle tickets over the phone on 01841 533877

Stained glass lobster window proudly in place

Our beautiful stained glass window is proudly in place now, in memory of the late Dr Eric Edwards, a long standing Trustee of the Lobster Hatchery. Eric's career as a fisheries scientist span over 50 years and included employment with the Ministry of Fisheries as a Principal Scientific Officer, then Director of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain for 18 years, to working part-time as the Fisheries Consultant to the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers in the City of London. He was a visiting Professor in Fisheries & Aquaculture at Queen's University, Belfast (2002-2005) and Vice President of the Shellfish Association.

Following the official naming of the 'Eric Edwards Room' here at the Hatchery, Gaynor Edwards (his daughter) decided to create this stained glass window to hang in the window. I'm told window stickers of the design are being printed as we speak which Gaynor wishes to donate to the hatchery in order to raise funds towards our marine conservation work. When they arrive they will be available through our on-line shop.

To see Gaynor's other pieces of art you can check out her facebook account on http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spiral-House-Design/133929156685786