19 June 2015
The MMO has reported that a small number of fishermen on the Sussex coast are reporting catches of non-native lobsters (Canadian Homarus americanus) and crabs (Dungeness Cancer magister) in an area in the vicinity of Brighton on the Sussex coast.
The MMO is asking that anyone who catches non-native lobsters or crabs keep the animals (regardless of size) and report the matter to the MMO office at Shoreham on 01273 424849, or take them to a local fish merchant who can alert us to them, collection will then be arranged by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) officials.
No non-native species should not be released back into the sea as release could impact native species and constitute an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.