To mark its 25th anniversary, the National Lobster Hatchery - based in Padstow - has embarked on an ambitious Releaseathon, making 25 lobster releases in 25 locations over 25 days during May and June.

Recently, divers from the National Lobster Hatchery headed to the tidal zone at NMMC, where children from Bosvigo School in Truro awaited the release of hundreds of baby lobsters.

Divers opened large aqua hive trays containing the stage 4/5 lobsters, who swam off and found hiding places in the seabed below – much to the delight of excited Year One children separated from the action by an underwater, magnified window.

The National Lobster Hatchery raises and releases the European lobster species at its hatchery in Padstow. The European lobster is the UK’s most valuable commercial marine species. Protecting hatchlings in their early stages by rearing them out of the ocean can increase their chances of survival by up to 1,000 times.

Nicola O’Donnell, COO at The National Lobster Hatchery said: “We work with the fishing industry to ensure that this economically and environmentally valuable species is protected. When baby lobsters are born they are extremely vulnerable to predators. By nurturing youngsters at the hatchery before releasing them at stage four or five like we have done today, we ensure they have a much increased chance of survival.”

This is the second time young lobsters have been released by the hatchery at NMMC; in 2023, thousands were released across two dives.

Beth Nicholls, Cross Arts Programming Officer at the museum said: “I’m delighted The National Lobster Hatchery has once again chosen the museum for a release. Our Tidal Zone was the perfect viewing point for excited Bosvigo students. I’m sure this experience – and hopefully some of the fun facts learned, will stay with them for a long time and reinforce that important connection with our precious ocean.”

‍