Good morning

W.A.Shiran ChamikaFS/2012/018

Faculty of Fisheries &Marine ScienceOcean University of Sri Lanka

Marine Biodiversity &

Conservation

Introduction to Lobsters and its fishery

Taxonomy of lobstersKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ArthropodaSubphylum: CrustaceaClass: MalacostracaOrder: DecapodaInfraorder: Astacidea

Family: Nephropidae

There are numerous species of lobsters, According to the IUCN there are about 230 species.They are belong to different geniuses such as

AcantharctusAntipodarctus ArctidesBathyarctus BiarctusCardusChelarctusHomarusMetanephropsPanulirus

External anatomy of the Lobster The body of a lobster is segmented. The appendages (antennae, pincers, legs, etc), are jointed. The body is covered by an exoskeleton made of chitin The exoskeleton requires them to molt as they grow, in a process called ecdysis.

Internal anatomy

Like dolphins, lobsters use complicated signals to establish social relationships. They sometimes walk hand-in-hand, the old leading the young.

To escape from enemies, lobsters swim backwards by flipping their tail.

Behavior of lobsters

Lobsters usually hunt for food at night.They eat……..

Lobster’s feeding

sea urchins.

mussels

sea stars

clams

snails

fish

Lobsters

Clawed lobsters

American

lobster

European

lobster

Spiny lobsters

True lobsters

Spiny lobsters (warm water)

Spiny lobsters (cold water)

Slipper lobsters

Lobster distribution through out the world

South African Lobster

North Australian Lobster

Brazilian Lobster

New Zealand Lobster

Maine Lobster

Female Male

How to identify males & females

How to identify males & females

The early years

Newly Hatched Larva

Stage I: 8mm

Stage II: 9mm

Stage III: 11mm

Stage IV: 15mm

(Postlarva) Lobster Life Cycle

Habitats are changed according to the life cycle

Green colour ,small eggs are new

Brown colour, large eggs are ready to shed

Normally not shed at once and shed as batches

Scientific name Common name

Panulirus penicillatus Veriegated spiny lobster

Panulirus versicolor Painted spiny lobster

Panulirus homarus Scalloped spiny lobster

Panulirus ornatus Ornate spiny lobster

Panulirus lonqipes Japanese spiny lobster

Panulirus polyphus Mud spiny lobster

Dominant lobster species in Sri Lanka

Dominant lobster species in Sri Lanka

Painted spiny lobster Variegated spiny lobster Scalloped spiny lobster

Ornate spiny lobsterJapanese spiny lobster

Panulirus penicillatus Panulirus homarus

Panulirus ornatus Panulirus lonqipes

Panulirus versicolor

Culturefishery

Capturefishery

Lobster fishery

Lobsters can be culture in artificial environments ,with special conditions.

It requires specific technologies ,knowledge and skills.

Capturing is the most popular way of lobster fishery.

Lobsters are collected from their natural habitats by diving.

Also traps are used to catch lobsters

When we consider the lobster fishery in Sri Lanka, both of these methods are used.

After catching the lobsters ,they are brought to lobster collecting centers.

They are kept in marine water tanks with an oxygen supply until transport.

CHOLESTEROL CALORIES SATURATED FATS

Maine Lobster 72 mg 98 0.1 g

Skinless Chicken 85 mg 173 1.3 g

Skinless Turkey 86 mg 140 0.4 g

Comparative nutrient content of lobsters with poultry

Nutrient content of 150g of lobster

Basic Components

Proteins 28.2 g

Water 115 g

Ash 3.3 g

Carbohydrates 0.7 g

Cholesterol 142 mg

Calories

Total Calories 135

Calories From Carbohydrates 2.4

Calories From Fats 12.2

Calories From Proteins 120

Fats & Fatty Acids

Total Fat 1.3 g

Saturated Fat 0.3 g

Monounsaturated Fat 0.4 g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2 g

Minerals Calcium 72 mgIron 0.4 mgMagnesium 40.5 mgSodium 216 mgPotassium 413 mgPhosphorus 444 mgZinc 4.5 mgCopper 2.5 mgManganese 0.1 mgSelenium 62.1 mcg

Vitamins Vitamin A 105 IUVitamin E 2.2 mgVitamin K 0.2 mcgRiboflavin 0.1 mgNiacin 2.2 mgVitamin B6 0.1 mgFolate 13.5 mcgVitamin B12 1.4 mcgPantothenic Acid 2.4 mgCholine 121 mg

Health Benefits of Lobsters

Lobsters are low in fat content, making them one of the best choices for health conscious people. The high content of protein makes this food beneficial, especially for athletes.

Lobsters are low in cholesterol and thereby, they assist in maintaining triglyceride levels in the body and keeping the heart healthy.

Like other seafood, lobsters are also a good source of omega 3-fatty acids that are essential for the proper functioning of the heart and brain.

These fatty acids help in lowering the risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac deaths. Furthermore, the compounds in lobsters facilitate in reducing the growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque and lowering the blood pressure.

Lobster can be very effective in preventing various health disorders such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, colon cancer and chronic conditions involving bone, connective tissue, heart and blood vessels.

Zinc found in lobsters is necessary for increasing activities of the brain, boosting the immune system and preventing loss of vision. In addition, this mineral also effectively heals injuries in body tissues.

Phosphorus, found in abundance in lobsters, aids in the formation of teeth and bones. It facilitates the rate of metabolism, enhances the functioning of kidneys and lessens joint pain.

Being a great source of vitamin B12, lobsters also help in maintaining the red blood cells and nerve cells. It improves the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and prevents other neurological problems.

Lobsters possess the trace element, selenium, which is beneficial for triggering the activity of thyroid glands as well as the immune system. Selenium is known to protect the body cells against free radicals during the process of metabolism, apart from monitoring the oxidation of cholesterol to prevent coronary artery disease.

General weight of an adult lobster is about 1 or 1.5 kg

1kg is marketed approximately Rs 2000 to Rs 3000

There is a high market for the live lobsters.Therefore there is a threat of overfishing.

So legislations are required.Fisher folk should be aware about sustainable utilization.Conservation plans should be prepared and launched .

It may be a grate service to protect lobsters not only as a food source, but also as an important component of marine biodiversity.

Thank you

Special thank ………Dr.M.F.M. Fairoze for the guidance .

Mr.Sirimal (lobster collecting center,Polhena,Matara)for the information

Mr. Sanjaya Bandara Gunathilake & Mr.Dinusha Lakmal Gamage for the collaboration of photographs.