A review of American lobster (Homarus americanus) records around the British Isles: 2012 to 2018

Abstract

Although native to eastern Canada and the USA, American lobsters (Homarus americanus) have been reported from British coastal waters in recent years. The introduction of most have been as escapees from holding facilities or releases by members of the public for animal welfare or religious reasons. Life-history traits of H. americanus put them at a potential competitive advantage over and hybridisation with the European lobster (Homarus gammarus), the 5th most valuable seafood to the UK. While yearly reported numbers of H. americanus found in British waters have been low, a mass release of 361 H. americanus into the English Channel off Brighton, southern England, took place in June 2015. This review identified 162 records of H. americanus in British waters between 2012 and 2018, with specimens caught mainly in or around Brighton, although additional H. americanus released may have gone undetected. While this evidence suggests a growing potential for establishment of the species, further information is provided evidencing hybridisation between released H. americanus and native H. gammarus via genetic analysis. This review highlights the need for a more robust means of detecting H. americanus and other non-native species in British waters.