It is the goal of the Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery to ensure the legacy, culture and heritage of lobster fishing lives on in North Berwick by operating a unique conservation, education and sustainability project to help re stock the Firth of Forth.

The hatchery works with local lobster fishermen, who bring berried females to the hatchery to shed their ripe eggs. The staff and volunteers work to nurse the larvae through their most vulnerable stage to juveniles, which are released back into the Firth of Forth to enhance future lobster stocks.

The release of juveniles supports sustainable aquaculture and the hatchery offers educational insights and community involvement through volunteering and employment opportunities.

Males are taken to the local Lobster Shack to provide fresh, zero-carbon footprint produce to the local community.  This also provides local employment and the whole cycle fishermen, hatchery and Lobster Shack demonstrates a unique economic sustainable community enterprise.

The choice to use the Aquahive® product from Ocean On Land Technology over other lobster rearing systems was primarily due to its compact size, as well as its proven track-record of success in Orkney. At the Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery, the Aquahive® system is used to house juveniles from stage III and IV through to stage VI, when they are then released. Enabling the successful rearing to stage VI, the Aquahive® gives youngsters the best possible chance of survival.

“The Aquahive® system was the best option for us, not only because of the limited space we have available and the relatively automated feed system, but also because of the second-to-none support we received and still receive from the Ocean On Land Technology team to ensure we get the most out of our hatchery. It’s great to work with such dedicated and enthusiastic people. I can highly recommend not only the Aquahive® system, but also the levels of knowledge and support that come with it.”

Jane McMinn, Founder, Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery.