SLU calls for more lobster fishermen in Bohuslän, Halland and Skåne

For three weeks in August, selected private individuals can test fish for lobsters at the same time as SLU's own research test fishing takes place. The project is called Lobserve and has been running since 2021, where volunteer “lobservers” help researchers collect data on European lobsters and provide answers to how many and how big the lobsters are.

- With the help of the public, we have the opportunity to broaden our test fishing and gain better knowledge of how much the stock varies along the coast, says Hege Sande, PhD student at the Department of Aquatic Resources at SLU.

Preliminary results from three years of test fishing - surprising findings in Halland with many small lobsters

The recurring test fishhing in Lobserve has helped scientists deliver a size structure for lobsters from all over the west coast, which is now used in the stock model. However, after three years, new questions have arisen.

- What we have seen so far are local differences in the stock along the coast, especially in terms of lobster density and catchability, which was expected. An unexpected result is that we have found surprisingly many small lobsters in Halland, while they seem to be larger further south in northern Skåne, says Hege.

While most of the lobsters caught off Sotenäs and Kungsbacka were below the minimum size (i.e. below 9 centimeters carapace length), most of the lobsters in Skåne were above the minimum size and thus legal to fish during the lobster season. The researchers do not yet know the reason for this, but it may be linked to local lobster density, recruitment or the extent of fishing.

- Lobster fishing is poorly described in Halland and Skåne, so we welcome more volunteer lobster fishermen to help us unravel these issues, and help us understand more about larval dispersal and recruitment, which has been a bit of a mystery so far, says Hege.

In total, 55 lobster fishermen have contributed with data by fishing in their home areas between Strömstad and Båstad. They have provided information on size distributions and catchability in over 20 areas along the coast, and created a basis for a report to the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management. In total, 1,015, 886 and 598 lobsters were caught and measured in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

- All those who have previously participated in our test fishing are committed and experienced fishermen who want to contribute to the management and knowledge of lobsters, which is much appreciated, says Andreas Sundelöf, researcher at the Department of Aquatic Resources at SLU.

In 2024, the test fishing will run from August 3rd to August 26th and volunteer lobservers can submit their application until June 30. The project is funded by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management.