Dogger Bank Wind Farm completes release of 1,054 juvenile lobsters in the North Sea in partnership with Whitby Lobster Hatchery
Dogger Bank Wind Farm has released 1,054 juvenile European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) in the North Sea as part of its ongoing partnership with the Whitby Lobster Hatchery.
Operating under the charity name of North Sea Conservation, Whitby Lobster Hatchery works with the local fishing community to hatch and rear juvenile lobsters, before releasing them in the North Sea to help wild populations to thrive.
The fishing community bring ‘berried ‘ egg-bearing female lobsters to the hatchery and as the eggs hatch, the tiny lobsters are raised in protective tanks to a juvenile stage in approximately eight weeks. At the juvenile stage, the lobsters have developed claws and can live independently as bottom feeders.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm has been supporting the work of the Whitby lobster Hatchery and its Marine Discovery visitor centre for a number of years, helping the project to deliver on its key aims of conservation, education and research.
The wind farm, which is currently in construction off the Yorkshire coast, supported the conservation charity with a release of 1,054 lobsters in the Dogger Bank C nearshore development area.
Joe Moody, Head Aquaculturist at Whitby Lobster Hatchery, said:
“After raising these lobsters from the moment they hatched – counting them, feeding them, keeping their tanks clean – it is always so rewarding to see them released back into the wild at the end of their hatchery journey. This release in particular is very exciting due to the unique nature of the site. It offers the possibility of post-release monitoring, so we at the hatchery can know just how well they are doing once they’re back out in the North Sea. We are keen to continue our work with Dogger Bank, and learn more about our little lobsters after their time in the hatchery.”
The juvenile lobster release was combined with time offshore at Dogger Bank Wind Farm collecting seawater for environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, which provides a non-invasive way to monitor marine life without the need for traditional capture and tagging methods. Seawater samples were collected at the nearshore and offshore DBC site and filtered to recover traces of DNA naturally shed by organisms into the water. By analysing this genetic material, researchers can identify the species present and build a baseline understanding of marine biodiversity and lobster distribution across the study area. This trial will also help assess the effectiveness of using eDNA sampling from Offshore Wind Farm vessels to support future environmental monitoring.
Sarah Reed, Offshore Consents Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s partnership with the Whitby Lobster Hatchery represents a long-term investment in the biological resilience of the North Sea and the team were delighted to support an offshore release with the opportunity for further research. By releasing lobsters at the juvenile stage the survival rates, compared to lobster eggs hatching in the wild, dramatically increase. By rearing them through the most vulnerable stage at the Whitby Lobster Hatchery and taking the opportunity to optimise this group of lobsters’ offshore deployment alongside the wind farm’s construction programme, we can significantly improve their odds of survival and reproduction. I’m grateful for the opportunity to combine a juvenile lobster release with the trial of new eDNA water sampling equipment and hope it sets the foundations for further research into this important species.”
The partnership between Dogger Bank Wind Farm and Whitby Lobster Hatchery represents a shared commitment to a sustainable future for the Yorkshire coast. Through funding for lobster breeding, rearing and release programmes, alongside education and community engagement activities, the partnership aims to help strengthen lobster stocks, increase understanding of the marine ecosystem and create lasting environmental benefits.
Find out more about Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s relationship with Whitby Lobster Hatchery by watching our video case study.