Spiny lobster propagation research has been undertaken for more than 60 years. Pioneering hatchery research was initially conducted in Japan, and most recently in Australia. The development of sustainable commercial processes for spiny lobster (Panulirus ornatus) production have now been achieved at the University of Tasmania’s, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). This breakthrough in hatchery production has generated interest in developing commercial onshore lobster aquaculture in Australia. The research team at IMAS has partnered with Ornatas Pty Ltd to develop tools to establish the world’s first onshore lobster facility.
Spiny lobsters are cultured in other regions of the world using wild seedstock and on-growing in seacages. This is not viable in Australia due to variability in seedstock settlement and strict environmental regulations. Some of the key components that will drive commercialisation include the development of growout systems, manufactured feed, improved seedstock quality and transport, and understanding of the social, environmental, and economic impacts of a developing industry. These questions are being addressed in a multi-partnered research project under the auspices of an Australian Research Council, Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Sustainable Onshore Lobster Aquaculture. To facilitate immediate commercialisation two areas require attention: the development of a sustainable manufactured feed and systems to reduce the impacts of cannibalism.
Traditionally spiny lobsters are fed fresh seafood products (Fig. 1). These feeds are popular due to low cost, ready availability, and palatability. The negative impact of these feeds is high FCR (>15), biosecurity risk, a source of pollution and disease. For an industry to flourish, a manufactured feed is needed. The feed must have a suitable nutritional profile, be water stable, palatable, have a low FCR, use economical, sustainable ingredients and be applicable to commercial production. From an experimental perspective many of these criteria have been achieved with a focus now on the commercialisation phase. The second component of commercial onshore lobster culture is the establishment of systems and methods to prevent cannibalism, especially in juveniles. Cannibalism generally occurs on moulting animals, they are readily attacked and consumed by conspecifics. Intensive video work and behavioural studies are being conducted to gain insight into ways that cannibalism can be mitigated in a commercial setting. The outcome of this work will facilitate the development of new and novel culture techniques for this and other antagonistic crustacean species.