Jersey fishermen's hopes over lobster study findings

Jersey fishermen landed a record-breaking 225,000kg of lobster in 2010

Jersey fishermen hope the results of a study into lobster stocks will help conservation efforts.

A French marine biologist will give the findings from the first two years of work into the migration and growth rates of the lobsters around Jersey.

French fishermen agreed to trials of an experimental tidal turbine on the seabed off the French port of Paimpol.

In return French electricity company EDF, which supplies Jersey's power, agreed to fund the study of lobsters.

Jersey fishermen landed a record-breaking 225,000kg of lobster in 2010, worth more than £3m.

And recently Jersey and French fishermen worked together to enable the Bay of Granville to become the only fishery in Europe to gain Marine Stewardship Council Accreditation (MSC) for lobsters.

'Positive effect'

Jersey Fishermen's Association chairman Don Thompson said: "It has taken us two years of hard work and expense to achieve the MSC [accreditation] and it is an ongoing process to keep it.

"The value of maintaining the wellbeing of our lobster stock cannot be overestimated.

"The remarkable results from this study are a great addition to our already significant understanding of the stock."

Chris Ambler, co-chairman of the Channel Islands Electricity Grid (CIEG), said: "Sustainable fishing is the mindset of fishermen these days, just as sustainable electricity generation is the mindset of power companies.

"It is heartening that research into renewable sources of energy by EDF, which supplies the CIEG, can have a positive effect on the stewardship of our marine resource and the livelihoods of our fishermen who depend on it."

French marine biologist Laure Robigo will present the findings from the first two years of the study at St Helier Yacht Club on Monday evening.

The Jersey Fishermen's Association said admission would be free and that it would present the maritime rescue services with the money raised at the recent Seafood Festival.