Figure 1. The thick red line indicate growth on small juveniles hatched summer 2001. The thick blue line indicate growth on larger juveniles hatched summer 2000, and introduced in the project summer 2001. The thin red line shows the growth obtained by Wickens & Beard (1991). The goal is 75 mm in carapax length (CL) which is the size for portion sized lobsters

Communal rearing
Communal juvenile rearing does not seem to be an alternative for intensive farming, but can be a method for small scale extensive production of lobster juveniles for sea ranching and/or stock enhancement. By rearing juveniles in communal systems, the lobsters being released may be more prepared to avoid predation and therefore contribute to increase the survival rate after release in the wild.

Technology
Norwegian Lobster Farm AS has developed suitable technology for farming lobster juveniles (up to TL 9 cm) and technology for raising plate-sized lobster in highly intensive systems (1 200 to 2 000 pieces/m3). The latter concept is being patented and will be tested during 2003, while the former concept has been tested with good results (survival over 80%) and is commercially available. Both systems can be fully automated while in operation, and they are possible to combine with bio-secure production systems enabling tracing of single individuals. Moreover, a software programme is being developed for image processing of single individuals to identify growth, mortality and moulting frequency. The two concepts have only modest investment costs, and the automated solutions reduces the need for employees. Profit on investments can be gained after only 2 years.

Market
All market research show that portion sized lobster has a substantial potential. Market research estimates the national demand in Norway to be over 150 tons annually at the current price level of 30-35 Euro/kg. Moreover, there is a positive attitude to both the product’s size and weight (total length 20 cm - 300 gram) especially in the high-end segment. Further, there exists a considerable higher global demand (approximately 40,000 tons/year), with Scandinavia, Europe and Asia being the potentially best markets.

Product quality
The first artificially grown portion sized lobster has now been commercially sold, and the product was well received. In addition has the product been tested at the Culinary Institute of Norway. Although the general results were indeed positive, they indicates that in order to produce a superior product it is a necessity to do more research in feed development to meet the nutritional needs of the lobster. For instance, the lobster grown on cod feed had pale pigmentation due to the lack of pigments (i.e. astaxantin) in this feed. A new test of will therefore be done at the Culinary Institute of Norway after completion of the on-going feed trial.


The Norwegian Lobster Farmers Association
In August 2001, the Norwegian Lobster Farmers Association was established. The association has its main office in Stavanger in south western part of Norway, and most of the lobster farming companies in Norway are members. In addition of dealing with political issues, the Norwegian Lobsters Farmers Association develops the future industrial framework for the new industry. Moreover, a national network is now being initiated, and will represent all companies and persons involved in lobster farming in Norway. The main goal is to gain control and regulate the future expansions in a sustainable manner and to enhance possible positive synergy effects among Governmental and non-Governmental institutions.
 

Future prospects
Today, the prospects for establishing a commercial and viable lobster farming industry (sea ranching and land-based farming) are at its all time best. The European lobster is one of the worlds most valued sea products. Moreover, having in mind the resent innovations on all aspects of controlled land-based farming, most of the historical challenges are about to be solved. Thus, the industry now hold sufficient biological knowledge and have developed several useful technological concepts. It is therefore obvious that controlled aquaculture of this species has a huge global market potential.

However, it is very important not to underestimate the need for R&D to support and stimulate a commercial development of this new industry. Thus, more public fundings should become available to accompany the private investment capital. In addition, whether it is sea ranching or land-based farming, major expansions should only be done based on new knowledge on sustainable farming procedures. Moreover, building an industry based on a close link between research institutions and commercial companies will prevent building up barriers between research and practical use of new knowledge. So far, no successful attempts on commercialising lobster production has been made in Norway. However we expect that several companies will succeed in establishing new lobster hatcheries, land-based farms or sea ranches on a commercial basis in the coming years.
 

Read part one
 

If you want to know more about lobster farming:  http://www.norwegian-lobster-farm.com/