VACANCY for Senior Hatchery Technician

The National Lobster Hatchery, in Padstow, Cornwall are looking to recruit a Senior Hatchery Technician.

This is a full time post on a two year, fixed term contract with a starting salary of £19,684.

Closing date for applications:     15^thDecember 2012

The Organisation:            The National Lobster Hatchery can be found on the docks of picturesque Cornish fishing village of Padstow.  The charity aims to promote sustainability issues in coastal fisheries through programs of Stock enhancement, research and education; supported by the visitor centre, corporate sponsorship, grants and donations.

Aim:      To run the Hatchery on a day to day basis and further develop the hatchery based production of juvenile lobsters for the charity’s stocking program in conjunction with the R&D Officer and the General Manager.

Key responsibilities:

·                     To supervise and oversee the day to day operation of the hatchery (including supervision of staff and volunteers)

·                     To ensure that all life support systems (LSS) and hatchery equipment are maintained in a clean and functional state

·                     To maintain and develop the hatcheries marine recirculating aquaculture systems

·                     To follow SOP’s and procedures as laid out in the operations manual

·                     Care of brood-stock, larvae and juveniles on a daily basis

·                     To organise and co-ordinate the seeding program in conjunction with the various stakeholders (including some work on inshore commercial fishing vessels)

·                     Ensure that hatchery consumables are kept in stock

·                     To collect and record data on the daily operations within the hatchery

·                     Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of technology and developments, relevant to the NLH’s objectives

·                     To be on a rota to ensure adequate cover is provided 24/7 and to hold a pager for evening cover.

Required Personal skills and qualifications:

Essential Requirements:	Desirable Requirements:
·         Proven husbandry skills and experience with a variety of aquatic species ·         3 years + experience in the operation, maintenance and construction of recirculation systems ·         Experience in supervising staff and volunteers ·         Excellent communication and organisation skills ·         Accuracy and attention to detail ·         Full clean driving license	·         A good honours degree and preferably a post graduate qualification in aquaculture or a related discipline ·       An understanding of fisheries sustainability issues ·       Experience in algal culture and live feed production ·       Experience in microbiological assays ·       DIY /practical skills

For further information and to apply:     Please send a C.V and formal covering letter outlining why you feel you are suitable for the role to:

FAO: The General Manager

National Lobster Hatchery

South Quay

Padstow

Cornwall

PL28 8BL

                                                                                                                                                                      

SELFRIDGES DONATE A LIMITED EDITION KATHARINE HAMNETT LINE TO NATIONAL LOBSTER HATCHERY IN CORNWALL

The National Lobster Hatchery have been approached by Selfridges, London who very kindly offered to donate some stock from their “Project Ocean” campaign, launched earlier this year. Project Ocean is an inspiring initiative that challenges the public to imagine a world with ‘no more fish in the sea’. Project Ocean is spearheaded by Selfridges Creative Director Alannah Weston.

Driven by the unthinkable prospect of the world’s major fisheries collapsing by 2050, the London store has given itself over to leading international marine protection campaigners and 22 environmental NGOs, as well high profile activists from the worlds of art, fashion, culinary arts, and entertainment.

English fashion designer Katharine Hamnett, best known for her political t-shirts and ethical business policy stepped up to design a range of products to launch their campaign.

The beach towels, bags, tea-towels and range of t-shirts will be on sale through the National Lobster Hatchery on-line shop and Little Shop of Lobsters in the visitor centre at Padstow.

Sarah Boothroyd, who manages the website and on-line shop said ‘This couldn’t have come at a better time for us. This year we allocated new budgets to develop our on-line sales as it has proved to be a useful new income stream for us. We are expanding into Amazon and Ebay platforms and on the brink of launching a brand new website that will reflect our successes in marine conservation, research and education. We are trying to influence consumer choice and drive the changes needed for a sustainable future for our fisheries and safeguard an essential food source for an ever increasing demand’.

‘This fabulous donation by Selfridges (designed by Katharine Hamnett) is causing our little stock room to quite literally burst at the seams! The t-shirts are a lovely quality and will boost our sales significantly.’

The well-known oversized t-shirts with large black slogans such as NO MORE FISH IN THE SEA?, SAVE THE SEA, SAVE THE WORLD, LOVE, STOP AND THINK are on sale at www.nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk

 

VACANCY - Research & Development Officer

Pay/conditions:           £22,000 starting salary, based at the National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow, some work away from site will be required as will some antisocial hours and weekend cover. This is a fixed term contract for 23 months, with a view to becoming permanent.  Annual leave for this position is 22 days per year excluding public holidays.

Qualifications:             The successful applicant will have a PhD in lobster culture or a closely related discipline and a good honours degree in marine biology and or fisheries/aquaculture science.

Skills and experience:  

The successful applicant will have the following skills and experience:

·         Proven project management skills and a track record of completing research projects through to publication. 

·         Excellent communication skills both written and oral including a track record of presenting at National and International scientific conferences, as well as through other forms of media (TV, radio, newspapers etc.).

·         The ability to network in order to create and maintain functional partnerships.

·         Experience of involving key stakeholders (fishermen and fish-farmers) in R&D projects.

·         Extensive experience of lobster larval and post larval culture and its development. 

·         An exhaustive knowledge of the scientific literature on the European Lobster pertaining to its: culture, fisheries management and stocking.

·         A track record of supervising postgraduate students in delivering component parts of research projects.

·         Feed development, morphometric assessment and microbiological assays pertaining to lobster culture.

Summary of role:            

The overarching aim of the position is to build the charity’s capacity for research.  The role will have 3 key functions:

·         To advance the charity’s stock enhancement program by improving culture techniques (and therefore post release survival) and to support on-going work to assess the effectiveness of the charity’s stocking program.  Specifically the charity would like to establish a pilot scale cage culture site during this project and make significant advances in stabilising larval culture.

·         To raise restricted funds to support further development of the charity’s research and development operations and to ensure that the position remains an economically viable one.

·         To publish and present the findings of the charity’s research and disseminate these findings as broadly as possible in order to continue developing the charity’s academic reputation.

·         The National Lobster Hatchery operates under an equal opportunities policy

 

Closing date for applications: Monday 22nd October @5.00pm

Interview date: TBC

Start date: November/December 2012

For further information contact:       Dominic Boothroyd, General Manager

The National Lobster Hatchery

South Quay

Padstow

PL288BL

01841 533877

Email: info@nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk

Web: www.nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk

 

This position is funded by the Coastal Communities Fund

Driveline provides lobster van to hatchery

Driveline GB Ltd., based in St Austell have very generously provided Padstow based charity The National Lobster Hatchery with a Citroen van, so that it can continue delivering its marine conservation, research and educational activities to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Richard Jacobs and Mark Kirby established Driveline in 1994 and the company is now one of the main vehicle rental and logistics companies operating in Cornwall. They are regular supporters of Cornish charities and have recently opened a new depot in Plymouth.

Richard Jacobs said “Both I and my Co Director Mark are extremely proud to be able to contribute in some way to the sterling work undertaken by our partners at the National Lobster Hatchery. In the very fragile world in which we live, we have always striven to build and develop our business with both sustainability and a high ethical code in mind. Given these criteria, we feel that this new partnership further ratifies this business ethos. We look forward to supporting this prestigious project in any further way that we can and we are extremely proud to affiliate our well established Cornish brand, as we have with many other charitable organisations over the years, with such a worthwhile cause”.

General Manager of the National Lobster Hatchery, Dom Boothroyd had this to say: “Last year the charity tripled its production and released over 32,000 juvenile lobsters around our coastline. We have spent the winter and spring months installing extra capacity into the hatchery and are now in the position where we can significantly increase our lobster production. We hope to release 40,000 juveniles next season and aim to increase this to over 100,000 juveniles a year in just a few years. This anticipated increase in production has meant that we had to look at the potential of getting a vehicle to transport our releasing gear (and baby lobsters) around the county. We looked at buying a vehicle and shortly realised that we couldn’t actually afford one. Around this time Richard and Mark from Driveline came to visit and offered us a van for free. We are delighted and so grateful for the support that Driveline provides, it makes a huge difference to a small charity with big ideas! It will make an important contribution to our work over the coming years”.

Moulted Crawfish showing beautiful new shell

Below are some pictures of our amazing Crawfish after moulting its shell, revealing a bright new beautiful carapace.

Crawfish, as well as many other shellfish, moult their shell (exo-skeleton) in order to keep up with their rate of growth. It's a bit like a child, that needs to buy new clothes as they grow - the crawfish crawl out of their old shell to reveal a brand new bigger shell which fits them.

After moulting, shellfish are very soft and therefore vulnerable, the process also uses up a lot of energy and vital resources, and one tasty and nutritious way of them to replenish themselves is by eating the moulted shell afterwards!  The old shell is full of calcium carbonate which helps the crawfish to harden his new shell.

You can probably see our crawfish closely guarding its shell, which has since faded greatly in comparison with its shiny new orange exo-skeleton.

LAST CHANCE TO BUY A RAFFLE TICKET

The draw will take place on 24th Sept 2012 to win a

luxury two night break in Rock

to include breakfast. Your stay will include 1 round of golf at St Enodoc Golf Course, spa treatment at The Cow Shed Spa at St Moritz Hotel, lunch at No. 1 Rock Road Restaurant. Then to finish it off a 3 course meal at No. 1 Rock Road with a bottle of Vintage Laurent-Perrier Champagne. Only £1 a ticket for the chance of winning this fantastic prize. You can either buy on-line through our Little Shop of Lobsters or over the phone.

Thank you to James & Rhowan from No. 1 Rock Road who very kindly donated this prize.

FIRST GREAT WESTERN TO SUPPORT MARINE CONSERVATION, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CHARITY

First Great Western is supporting the work of Padstow based charity, ‘The National Lobster Hatchery’.

The rail company has offered to provide ten free tickets to the organisation to enable it to develop and grow. The tickets will allow staff of the charity to attend meetings in London in order to increase the charity’s outputs and raise much needed funds.

General Manager; Dominic Boothroyd said “We are truly grateful for the support of First Great Western. This gift is a huge help at a time when charities everywhere need that little extra support. It will allow us to attend meetings around the country, at no extra cost and so allow us to grow as an organisation. Ultimately this will help us to deliver more of our marine conservation, research and education outputs to the regions coastal communities”.

The charity is going through a period of development at the moment with a significant increase in its capacity to raise juveniles, with the addition of new hatchery equipment and plans to enhance its educational out-reach. The charity is also driving forward its programme of research with some significant projects taking place at the moment.

James Davis from First Great Western had this to say:

“First Great Western is privileged to provide services from London Paddington to some of the county’s leading destinations. Our lines in Cornwall are symbolic of that, offering passengers easy access to the capital or to stations across the south west – and the ability to work or make that vital phone call as they travel. First Great Western is committed to playing an active part in the communities we serve. We are delighted to be able to sponsor the Lobster Hatchery and hope that we can help ensure that their valuable work continues.”

First Great Western has one of the largest and most complex rail networks in the UK, carrying one and a half million passengers every week on 9,000 services, and calling at 276 stations. They are the only UK rail company to operate High Speed Inter-city, commuter, regional and sleeper services and provide fast and frequent commuter services for the M4 corridor, the Thames Valley and Newbury and Oxford routes and operate services in the South West, providing local commuter and leisure services and the key longer distance routes from Cardiff to Portsmouth.

Volunteer Opportunities at the National Lobster Hatchery

Want to do your bit to help sustainability of lobster stocks in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly?  The National Lobster Hatchery currently has some exciting volunteer opportunities available.

We require:

• Assistant hatchery technicians (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday)

Duties include:

Feeding post larvae, juveniles, broodstock, and aquarium exhibits.

Cleaning tanks.

Water quality/chemistry checks.

Assisting with the husbandry of brood stock

This position comes with the chance to help on releases from the beach/ fishing vessels.

A qualification in a relevant science which includes issues of sustainability and fisheries management preferred but not essential.

• Visitor centre assistants (week days/ weekends during the busy summer season)

Duties include:

Greeting the general public.

Answering questions/queries from the public about the work undertaken at the hatchery.

Retail and aspects of sale.

Data entry for gift aid

Other tasks required.

This position requires basic computer knowledge and references to be provided.

• Fundraisers for events (mainly weekends)

Duties include:

Conversing with the general public about the important work that is undertaken at the hatchery.

Making the public aware they can become “Friends of the hatchery” to show their support.

Applicants for this position must be friendly, approachable and confident.

• Maintenance person

Duties include:

General maintenance and painting

Clearing and sweeping.

Painting the outside and inside of the hatchery.

Helping hatchery staff with modifications to the hatchery system.

The National Lobster Hatchery is proud to announce that it has received funding from Cornwall Development Company to enable an equal opportunities volunteering scheme to be run during 2012-2013. This scheme gives unemployed persons living in Cornwall a chance to get a foot back on the employment ladder by acquiring new and interesting skills with us at the Hatchery.

If you would like to apply for any of the volunteering opportunities above please send a copy of your CV, a covering letter and your available dates to our Volunteer Co-ordinator at: beth@nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Lobster Hatchery Summer Raffle

Following the success of last year, we are very fortunate to be able to offer another fantastic raffle prize. We are very grateful to Jamie & Rhowan Yoki of No. 1 Rock Road Restaurant in Rock, Cornwall who have donated our star prize:

A LUXURY WEEKEND BREAK IN ROCK FOR TWO

A 2 night luxury break in an award winning location to include breakfast, 1 round of golf at St Enodoc Golf Course (overlooking the beautiful Camel estuary), a spa treatment at the Cow Shed at the St Moritz Hotel, a 3 course meal at the new No. 1 Rock Road Restaurant with Vintage-Laurent-Perrier champagne and lunch at No. 1 Rock Road Restaurant.

Tickets are available through our ‘Little Shop of Lobsters’

A Lovely Quote from Trip Advisor

Okay, so I already had a soft spot for the humble lobster, both as an animal (with their "flippy flappy antennae") and served as a dish. This has always troubled me as I feel guilty for eating these fabulous creatures but at the same time love seafood. So, cue the National Lobster Hatchery. Pregnant mummy lobsters are brought in by fishermen and their eggs reared, and then released back into the wild. Baby lobsters are teensy, basically plankton, and everything in the sea will happily eat them. Only a tiny percent (maybe 1 in 20,000) make it to adulthood. At the hatchery, the larval stages are cared for and reared until they get to 2-3cm long. Then they are taken back to the sea and carefully released to give them the best possible chance. This raises survival rates to tens of percent. You can see the pregnant female lobsters, lobsters in their tiny larval stages up to the 2-3cm stage (all in separate little cubicles to stop them cannabilising each other) just before they are released. There is a wealth of information, some adult lobsters to oooh and ahhh at and the opportunity to sponsor a lobster for £2.50. You can pick it's name and everything (mine is called Lancelot)! You get a certificate and a fact sheet. Great for kids. It IS small, but also perfectly formed. I think that ethically it is fantastic and really genuinely deserves to be supported. An hour after my wander round the Hatchery I passed the lobster 'holding pool' for Rick Stein's lobsters, but instead of feeling just guilt, I actually felt inspired by the work done in the quayside attraction I'd just visited. I am now supporting the hatchery monthly by direct debit (in addition to my adoption) and I'll certainly be going back. The lady at the cash desk was so grateful I was signing up to give them £5/month it was actually quite touching. These people clearly really believe in what they're doing, and so do I. Brilliant.

Jo, West London 12th April 2012

To add your review on trip advisor click on this link

Extra claws for a worthy cause…

Mutant three-clawed crab is set to join Padstow’s National Lobster Hatchery.

The National Lobster Hatchery,is eagerly anticipating the arrival of a unique three-clawed crab. The remarkable crab which proudly displays an extra pair of pincers on one of its legs was hauled in by fisherman Craig Robinson, who was fishing off the coast of Swanage in Dorset. On spotting the crab’s bizarre extra claw, Craig alerted the National Lobster Hatchery who were delighted to be able to offer a home to the mutant crustacean, amongst their own display of sea creatures.

Fisherman Craig said ‘I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw three claws on the crab, especially as the extra one was on the end of an individual leg, rather than protruding from an already existing claw. What’s even more incredible is that all three claws are fully functional, so it must have a pretty good advantage over other crabs”

The three-clawed crab is currently being housed at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and will be escorted to its new home on Padstow’s South Quay, by Lobster Hatchery Trustee, Dr Grant Stentiford. Dr Stentiford is delighted with the new addition and comments “Crabs along with other crustaceans are in fact capable of re-growing limbs that have been lost or damaged, so it could be the case this crab’s regeneration mechanism has got a little confused as to what it was replacing!”

The National Lobster Hatchery’s visitor centre attracts around 40,000 visitors a year and staff believe this unusual addition will cause a real stir amongst the public, especially with all three claws in working order. The National Lobster Hatchery’s Dr Carly Daniels said: "It is certainly unusual to find crustaceans with extra claws, especially one protruding from an individual leg socket. We can't be certain as to how it came about; it could be the result of a genetic mutation or environmental factors. Either way a three-clawed crab will certainly make an eye-catching addition to the National Lobster Hatchery”

The three-clawed crab, who is a female of the edible crab species, will be arriving at the National Lobster Hatchery in April 2012, so visitors can soon view this unique creation of nature for themselves. You may have to pincer yourself to believe it though!

2012 UP COMING EVENTS

YOU MAY WANT TO PLAN YOUR SUMMER AROUND THESE FANTASTIC EVENTS!

21st & 22nd April 2012 Crabstock Festival

The National Lobster Hatchery has been chosen as a beneficiary for the Crabstock Festival.

The Lamb Inn at Great Rissington, Gloucestershire have decided to put on the first inland shellfish festival formerly known as Crabstock. The reasons behind Crabstock are to teach the next generation of the health benefits of eating our great British shellfish, supporting our own UK fishing fleet, to increase public awareness of the facts of import and export of shellfish throughout the UK and to provide everyone coming to the Crabstock Festival with a great weekend of brilliant food, live music and knowledge of the industry that we should all love and standby.

Matthew Ayers, Head Chef said ‘I fully believe that UK shellfish is the best in the world and that the UK should unite and keep this wonderful sustainable shellfish on the menu's of pubs and restaurants with great knowledge and pride that the shellfish & fish being served is from the UK’.

7th June 2012 Polzeath Marine Discovery Day

Cornwall Wildlife Trust, National Trust and Cornwall Council are joining forces to bring you a marine day you will never forget! Come and celebrate our seas in Polzeath and spend the day rock pooling with marine experts, creating beach sculptures or saving dolphins with marine life rescue experts! The event is free. We’ll be there on the day!

22nd – 24th June 2012 Rock Oyster Festival

The National Lobster Hatchery has been chosen as a beneficiary for the Rock Oyster Festival for 2012.

From the celebration of the Oyster, to the best local produce that Cornwall has to offer, there will be plenty of food and drink to sample and buy to go.  The weekend is packed with entertainment with Cookery Demonstrations from top chefs, Children’s Entertainment, Live Music, bars, food stalls and camping.

The location of the festival is absolutely stunning, in the grounds of Dinham House, surrounded by beautiful (very English) rolling hills overlooking the estuary and out and beyond to Padstow.

26th August 2012 The Big Swim Cornwall

Now approaching their third year for this stunning one mile wild swim around our dramatic coastline, the Big Swim team are opening the event as a four part swim for 450 swimmers!  This will include a Triathlon with a Cornish twist (Wild Swim, Run & Kayak), The Big Swim which has been split into two; a Serious Swim and a Not So Serious Swim and The Little Swim for the children. 

With the support of local people and businesses, much organisation and the highest levels of safety cover, this fantastic race is open to anyone who would like to take to part, for fun or simply as a personal challenge. 

The day is full of entertainment from start to finish making it a perfect occasion for family, friends and spectators. Enjoy the BBQ and bar on the platt, relax and listen to the music, or come and see the baby lobsters about to be released.  The event is being extended into the evening this year with more music at The ‘BIG’ Party to include the likes of Fishermen’s Friends and more.

The Big Swim Cornwall will be raising money for the National Lobster Hatchery, Coastguards, RNLI Lifeboats and the Air Ambulance. These four organisations have a big impact on the local area and community.

2nd September 2012 Clovelly Lobster & Crab Feast

Paying tribute to Clovelly's famous lobsters and crabs with a day of live folk music, quay kitchens, wine and beer tasting, local food stalls, prize draw, arts and crafts stalls.  For the children there's face painting, a creative workshop and storytelling, walkabout magic, balloon modelling, street theatre and N. Devon A.O.N.B.'s event-themed craft activities.

The Red Lion Harbour restaurant will be offering delicious seafood, crab and lobster platters, each with a complimentary glass of bubbly.

In aid of the National Lobster Hatchery, who will bring along a tank of baby lobsters, to be later released into the sea.

Lobster Hatchery Summer Raffle

We are in the process of organising our 2012 summer raffle. We are very grateful to Jamie & Rhowan Yoki of No. 1 Rock Road Restaurant in Rock, Cornwall who have donated our star prize:

A LUXURY WEEKEND BREAK IN ROCK FOR TWO

A 2 night luxury break in an award winning location to include breakfast, 1 round of golf at St Enodoc Golf Course (overlooking the beautiful Camel estuary), a spa treatment at the Cow Shed at the St Moritz Hotel, a 3 course meal at the new No. 1 Rock Road Restaurant with Vintage-Laurent-Perrier champagne and lunch at No. 1 Rock Road Restaurant.

Tickets will be available through our ‘Little Shop of Lobsters’ by the end of April so WATCH THIS SPACE!

VACANCY Hatchery Technician (Full Time) permanent

A rare opportunity has arisen at the National Lobster Hatchery for a marine hatchery technician.

Salary Scale £13,442 – £16,054

Aim: To assist the Senior Hatchery technician with the operation of a hatchery that aims to produce over 40,000 juvenile lobsters in the 2012 season. The position is also responsible for operating exhibits in the associated visitor centre, supervising associated research projects and assisting visitor centre staff.

The Organisation:

The National Lobster Hatchery is a marine conservation, research and education charity based in Padstow, North Cornwall. The charity is principally funded through a very successful visitor centre with some additional revenues generated through events, membership, hospitality gifting, corporate sponsorship, grants and donations.

Main responsibilities

· Care of broodstock, larvae and juveniles on a daily basis.

· To ensure that all life support systems (LSS) and hatchery equipment are maintained in a clean and functional state.

· To work every other weekend and be on call one week in two and/or when the rota dictates.

· Work with the manager and senior technician to constantly improve the operation of the hatchery LSS and procedures.

· Work with the manager and senior technician to ensure that the hatchery and laboratory are adequately equipped.

· Ensure that hatchery consumables are kept in stock, ordering where necessary.

· Work with the manager and senior technician to implement research programmes in the hatchery that help to deliver the charity’s research strategy.

· To collect and record data on the daily operations within the hatchery.

· To provide written and verbal reports when required.

· Assist with essential maintenance of the building fabric.

· Assisting in the Visitor Centre as and when required.

· To assist the management with good communication and dissemination of information through the local fishing industry, educational institutions and the visiting public.

Required Personal skills and qualifications:

Essential Requirements:

Desirable Requirements:

· A degree in aquaculture, fisheries or marine biology. · 2 years practical experience in public aquaria or hatchery work. · 2 years experience of operating and maintaining marine recirculation systems. · A detailed and intimate understanding of fisheries and marine conservation issues · Excellent husbandry skills · Excellent communication skills. · Accuracy and attention to detail. · Full clean driving license.

· A knowledge of the Cornish fishing industry · Some retail experience. · Some supervisory experience.

For further information and to apply:

Please send a C.V and formal covering letter outlining why you feel you are suitable for the role to:

The General Manager, National Lobster Hatchery, South Quay, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8BL

www.nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk

Closing date for applications: Friday 15^th March 2012. Interviews to be held shortly after

Ideally the successful candidate needs to be available to commence work at the end of March 2012

Dom’s speech at the Hatchery Dinner, 9th Feb 2012

 My Lords Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming here tonight for what is, a very important evening for the National Lobster Hatchery. Some of you may not be fully aware of what the National Lobster Hatchery’s work is all about. Please let me explain.

We are a serious charity with three really important aims: marine conservation, research and education, however, what makes us unique is that our work is specifically related to a commercial species – The European Lobster.

This is a species that is worth a huge amount in terms of both its economic and social importance. The species is the most valuable fish caught in the UK and is part of a major export industry. This one species alone is worth £30m each year and I know that without it the small coastal villages, such as Port Isaac where I live, would have very little other than tourism to create jobs and keep the harbour alive.

The problem is one of global food security for future generations and the timescale is scarily short. Fisheries around the world are suffering from major over-exploitation. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations state that over 75% of the world’s major fisheries are either: fully exploited, over-exploited, depleted or recovering.

Lobster stocks themselves are incredibly vulnerable and both the Scandinavian and Mediterranean stocks have completely collapsed and not recovered to this day.

The world population is set to rise to over 9 billion over the next few decades. The world’s middle classes are due to swell and the demand for seafood is due to expand massively.

It is clear to me at least, that additional measures are required in order to improve the way we treat our living marine resources and this is why our work is so important.

We have already established ourselves as a centre for excellence in lobster science – we have published numerous papers ad presented our work on the world stage and welcome over 40,000 visitors through our public education centre each year.

A female lobster can carry in the region of 20,000 eggs under their abdomen, however only one of these is expected to survive in the wild. With skilful and careful application of modern technology we can improve this survival rate by about 1000 times! We released over 32,000 last year and aim to double this shortly. We are even undertaking a population modelling exercise that will help us to define how many lobsters we should release in a given year.

Our dreams for the short term future are a little broader: We have a vision that aims to create the world’s first public education centre for fisheries sustainability issues. This centre will engage with the general public and educate them of the key sustainability issues associated with fisheries (something that is in the press all of the time). At the same time we will provide solutions to those issues. This is something that we are already doing very well and is something that is not currently done by anyone else in the world.

The amendment to the shellfish act that Baroness Wilcox talked about will provide long term security to our communities and will enable us to sell juvenile lobsters to the fishery itself and provide regular income for our work, however, until orders have been taken up by the industry, this still remains firmly in the future.

Raising the funds for our work is not easy. We don’t receive any recurrent government funding and rely heavily upon funds generated through our visitor centre.

On my way up here today one thought was going through my head - how can our charity compete with the humanitarian charities?

The answer is simple: give a man a fish and he can feed his family for a day, give him a fishing net and he can feed his family for a month. However if the seas around his village have been overfished then he can do neither…. Our charity is about feeding families and it is looking at the next step – how can we increase the number of fish that are there to be caught and how can we apply this to our fisheries.

We have several people here tonight who have made substantial contributions to our work: Fishmongers Company have supported us for many years, Lord Harris of Peckham provided a donation that has allowed us to set up the Harris Scholarship fund, John Rous holds a lobster festival each year in Clovelly of which we are the beneficiary and Matthew Sankey collects donations on every lobster he sells through his restaurant and matches his customers donation.

Please be generous tonight – we will spend your money very carefully – we are incredibly efficient and have achieved a huge amount so far with very little.

Lords Ladies and Gentlemen please enjoy your evening and do whatever you can to support our work.

Thank you very much.

Fishmongers Hall hosts a fundraising dinner for The National Lobster Hatchery in the hope or raising £40,000

The National Lobster Hatchery’s biggest fundraising event yet; we have been given the opportunity to host an exclusive dinner and auction at one of London’s original guild halls; the Fishmongers Hall, overlooking the Thames and London Bridge.

We have invited 150 guests to join us for an exquisite three course meal, with an after dinner speaker, auction and raffle in the hope of raising £40,000 in one night.

The generosity of local artists, businesses and others around the country has been fantastic and we’ve got an incredible range of prizes. The raffle was a perfect excuse to showcase some of Cornwall’s inspirational artists and we’ve been able to gather an array of materials and textures, with Cornish tin, sculptures, prints, handmade textiles, original paintings, pottery and more.

We have produced a booklet for the dinner, with details of the very impressive auction lots that have been donated for the event and thought I would include a preview for everyone to see. Although it’s a long list, it’s an impressive list of top quality seafood restaurants and accommodation (some of whom are sponsors of the hatchery), days out with a difference and as already mentioned, an array of beautiful local art.

Fishmongers Hall

AUCTION PRIZES

All successful bidders are invited for a VIP tour of the National Lobster Hatchery so that they can see first hand,the important work the charity is undertaking.

LOT 1 A PADSTOW Seafood extravaganza and Shopping spree

A fantastic package of dinner, bed and breakfast at the world famous Rick Stein Seafood Restaurant for two people.

 

Plus a £150 voucher to spend at W, Rig Marine or Riggers in Padstow.

Donated by Jill Stein www.rickstein.com and Teri Walter

LOT 2 A CASE OF CLARET, CHÂTEAU CANTEMERLE 2000

Twelve bottles of this fully mature, elegant 2000. Notes of forest floor, bay leaf, liquorice, red currants and cranberries are offered in a Burgundian-like, fresh, vibrant format. Consume over the next 7 to 8 years.

Donated by Martyn Hedley

LOT 3 An amazing ANYA HINDMARCH HANDBAG

Anya is recognised for her designer work throughout the fashion world. Anya started her fashion career 20 years ago in Florence and quickly went on to open 54 stores in 7 countries around the world. An Anya Hindmarch is a must have, for any lady. As seen on the shoulders of Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer, Angelina Jolie and Reese Witherspoon.

(The handbag shown is not necessarily the one to be auctioned)

Donated by Anya Hindmarch MBE www.anyahindmarch.com

LOT 4 A WEEK LONG LUXURY ROMANTIC BREAK IN PADSTOW FOR TWO

Harbour Holidays have given us their flagship, 5 star luxury accommodation ‘Puffin Cottage’ in the heart of Padstow for 1 week (available 2nd—30th March and 26th Oct—21st Dec 2012, subject to availability).

PLUS Champagne and a personal tour of Prideaux Place (Padstow’s beautiful stately home) with Peter and Elisabeth Prideaux-Brune

PLUS a guided tour of The Eden Project, lunch with Tim Smit (subject to availability) and leave with an Eden Goody bag

PLUS a meal for 2 in Nathan Outlaw’s Seafood & Grill.

Donated by :

Harbour Holidays and Jackie Stanley www.harbourholidays.co.uk

Peter and Elisabeth Prideaux-Brune www.prideauxplace.co.uk

Tim Smit www.edenproject.com

Nathan Outlaw www.nathan-outlaw.com

LOT 5 A Shooting day on the Boconnoc Estate

One gun at the Boconnoc Estate Shoot

A 200 bird day for one gun

A cooked lunch and light refreshments will be provided along with a delicious afternoon tea. A highly recommended and extremely popular shoot in the grounds of this exquisite 18th century house.

Donated by Tony Kennedy

Lot 6 A Clovelly Break

Take a step back in time with this fantastic weekend get away to Clovelly in North Devon.

Two nights, dinner, bed and breakfast for 2 at The Red Lion, right on the harbour front at this historical North Devon fishing village. The village is built into a 400ft high cliff famous for its donkeys that even today, are used to carry goods up the steep cobbled narrow paths. www.clovelly.co.uk

PLUS Entry for 2 to Rosemoor Gardens, a truly inspirational garden owned by the Royal Horticultural Society. www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Rosemoor

Donated by: Rt Hon John Rous, Clovelly Estate and RHS Rosemoor Gardens

Lot 7 AN Amazing Lobster Sculpture

This incredible sculpture has been specially made to be auctioned tonight, in order to support our work. Martiens has been creating sculptures out of what some might think of as scrap, for many years and has sold to the rich and famous. Kate Humble and Martin Hughes–Games to mention a couple.

Would look fabulous above the fire place or in your garden.

Donated by Martiens Bekker

http://sites.google.com/site/artrikascrapart/Home

LOT 8 LUXURY WEEKEND BREAK IN ROCK FOR TWO

A 2 night luxury break in an award winning location to include breakfast, 1 round of golf at St Enodoc Golf Course (overlooking the beautiful Camel estuary), a spa treatment at the Cow Shed at the St Moritz Hotel, a 3 course meal at the new No. 1 Rock Road Restaurant with Vintage Laurent-Perrier champagne and lunch at No. 1 Rock Road Restaurant.

A chance to stay at and be spoilt rotten at the amazing village of Rock on the North Coast of Cornwall.

This prize can be taken during the following months and must not include any bank holidays: April (not during Easter), May (not Whitsun), September, October (not half term), November.

www.waterfrontpolzeath.co.uk/No-1-Rock-Road/No-1-Rock-Road-Introduction.aspx

www.stmoritzhotel.co.uk/cowshed.htm

www.st-enodoc.co.uk

Donated by Jamie & Rhowan Yoki, “Number One Rock Road”

LOT 9 SIX MAGNUMS OF CHÂTEAU GRUAUD-LAROSE 2001

A classic!

Nose: Mint, eucalyptus, blueberries and some pencilly wood character with some confectionary aromas of vanilla and strawberry. Mouth: dark cherry, cassis, blackberry flavours. Very fine tannin (not chunky). Great length. Some pleasant earthy characters coming through on the finish. Still vibrant and could happily sit for another 5 years.

Donated by Martyn Hedley

Lot 10 A Paul Jackson Mackerel Bowl

Paul Jackson qualified in Studio Ceramics in 1977 at Harrow School of Art. Following a short period teaching in London, he relocated to Cornwall, where he established his pottery in 1979. He moved to his present home at Helland Bridge, where he works in a studio converted from an old chapel, in 1989. He has exhibited regularly and widely in both the UK and the US, and his work can be found in many major galleries.

www.paul-jackson.co.uk

Lot 11 A Rare days flyfishing on a chalk stream

A rare opportunity for a days fly fishing on a Wessex chalk stream. This amazing opportunity will see you fishing with the past President of the Flyfishers’ Club and will include a fantastic light lunch.

Donated by Mr Antony Pincent

LOT 12 A PORSCHE DRIVING DAY AT SILVERSTONE

A Porsche driving day for one person at Silverstone, to drive either the new 911 or Cayenne. You can opt for early breakfast, drive then lunch or lunch, drive and afternoon tea. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity. There is the option to take a friend at an additional cost.

Kindly donated by Porsche www.porsche.com

LOT 13 A Fabulous GREEK Villa FOR one week for 6 people

On the Island of Kefalonia, nestled on a hillside, standing majestically amongst ancient olive trees, fragrant wild herbs and flowers, you will find Villa Cyclamino.   Magnificent views overlook the tiny village of Katelios only a short stroll away, which is famous for its seafood tavernas, relaxed atmosphere and tiny fishing harbour. Available May and October. Donated by Liz Rogers

 

LOT 14 AN EXCLUSIVE WEEKEND IN LONDON for 2

With Hotel, Dinner and Theatre Tickets

Thank you to Sarah Coates who has put this fabulous package together and will co-ordinate your weekend for you. Andrew Collins is sponsoring dinner for 2 at the exclusive Nobu Japanese Restaurant on Park Lane, up to the value of £300.

Courtesy of a leading Actors Agency, Conway van Gelder Grant have offered Theatre tickets for 2 and are happy to discuss which show you would like tickets for.

Plus the promise of a fabulous hotel. There are last minute dealings to get a more exclusive hotel than we had originally confirmed.

www.conwayvangeldergrant.com

www.noburestaurants.com/london/experience/introduction/

Lot 15 A Dynasty DESIGNER DRESS

Dynasty, London’s Exclusive fashion house. Dynasty specialise in evening and cocktail dresses, prom, bridal and the Viviana Plus size collection. They are delighted to donate this dress to such a worthy cause. Visit the website to see all of the exciting collections and find the nearest stockists. Contact 020 8736 0200 and follow on Facebook and Twitter to see the celebrity following. Seen recently at the NTA and BAFTA awards!

Size 10, 12 or 14 available.

www.dynastyuk.co.uk

Donated by Dynasty of London, contact Vivien King-Lawless

LOT 16 A Jethro Jackson original

Jethro is a landscape painter and potter who was born and raised on the Cornish North Coast. This gives him an affinity and empathy with this most special of all coastlines and has allowed Jethro to capture the atmosphere of the local landscape in his original and sensitive works.

www.paul-jackson.co.uk/jethro.html

LOT 17 A CASE OF CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE 2001, RED GRAVES

The 2001 is another beauty from this property. The impressive perfumed aromatics consisting of black raspberries, spring flowers, currants, graphite, and new oak are followed by an elegantly etched, medium bodied, moderately weighty Graves with abundant quantities of sweet fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2015.

12 bottles

LOT 18 A SILVER MYSTERY

Finally …. a mystery auction lot to be revealed on the night.

Bidding starts at £10,000

 

 

RAFFLE PRIZES

Everyone can afford raffle tickets and the range of prizes is fantastic.  We specifically set out to showcase some of Cornwall’s inspirational art at this event with an array of materials and textures.

1. Padstow Mussel Company lobster print, by Susie Ray

2. Artist Easel box set

3. Hooper & Shaw print ‘a sailor went to sea sea sea’

4. Exeter Race Course Day for 2—Grandstand & Paddock admissions

5 Ian Burke, Art Master from Eton College – lobster print

6. Ian Burke, Art Master from Eton College – lobster print

7. Cliffside Gallery, Table mats & coasters by Katie Childs

8. St Justin necklace & bookmark (made from Cornish tin)

9. No raffle is complete without a fluffy toy, Ravensden grey seal pup

10. And a Ravensden clown fish

11. Jersey Pottery – lobster wall clock

12. Jersey Pottery – set of four dipping bowls & serving platter

13. Wave 7 Gallery – stained glass mirror

14. Signed Fish cookery book by Tom Aikens

15. Lobster meal for 2 including bottle of Chablis at Sankeys Pub, Seafood Brasserie & Oyster Bar, Royal Tunbridge Wells

16. Manicomio Restaurant - £125 voucher for lunch or dinner

17. Golf voucher worth £250, round of golf & light lunch at Swinley Forest Golf Club

18. VIP Tour of National Marine Aquarium Plymouth

19. Caroline Cleave handmade cushions & set of mugs

20. Poppy Treffry - handmade Teapot Cosy

21. 2 bottles of Louis Chaurey Champagne, kindly donated by Martyn Hedley

22. 2 bottles of Louis Chaurey Champagne, kindly donated by Martyn Hedley

23. 2 bottles of Louis Chaurey Champagne, kindly donated by Martyn Hedley

24. Magnum of Claret – Chateau Fonplegade 2001, donated by Martyn Hedley

25. Monty Halls signed DVD box set and 2 books, Great Irish Escape & Great Ocean Adventures, kindly donated by Monty Halls himself

26. Theatre Royal tickets for 2

27. Photographs by Leza Dondun

 

Special thanks

The National Lobster Hatchery is incredibly grateful to all of the individuals and organisations who have kindly provided auction prizes, raffle prizes or donations for this event, or have organised tables on our behalf.

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the following individuals:

Mr Simon Potts, our auctioneer:

Mr Andrew Scott, our after dinner speaker

Mr Martyn Hedley who has championed this event from the start

Mr Steve Pini, Executive Chef and his team

We would also like to acknowledge the support of the following organisations, who have enabled the event to take place:

The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers

The Grocers Company

Marks and Spencer PLC