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INTRODUCTION OF EUROPEAN LOBSTERS.

HAVE THEY BECOME NATURA- . USED. By G.M.T. Since the first lot if European lobsters were liberated in Otago waters in 1893 up to the present time, some two dozen adults and over a million and a half larvae have been liberated in or near Otago Harbour. As the larvm swim freely for not more than three weeks, and then seek the bottom and the cover afforded by rocks and stones, and as the northerly current continually passing Otago Heads sweeps round into Blueskin Bay and then up the coast—a fact clearly ascertained by the float experiments carried out from the Portobello Biological Station—it is legitimate to assume that a certain proportion of the young larva; have found shelter ir the northern bays and along the coast line. They have certainly not been met with, but it must be remembered that in British waters, from which they come, young lobsters are very seldom met with. A continuous watch is kept on the district, and all person's finding what they think to be lobsters or portions of lobsters are asked to communicate with Mr W. Adams, curator of the station, or with Mr Broadley, assistant curator, who is also Inspector of Fisheries for the east coast district of Otago. Many persons do so now, but none of the specimens hitherto received have been lobsters. Hermit crabs, large specimens of whale feed, portions of crabs, and various other crustaceans have been forwarded from time to time, but no lobsters. The European lobster resembles the fresh-water crayfish more than the common marine crayfish, in that th j first pair of legs are developed into strong nipping claws. The colour also is always blue, never red. The latest interesting find was recently received at the station from Mrs Dougall, who formerly lived on Quarantine Island, and is familiar with the appearance of the lobster. It was picked up on the beach of Motuihi Island, in Auckland Harbour. It was the abdomen of a large crustacean, almost purplish in colour, and was forwarded on the bare suspicion of its proving to be a lobster. On examination by Professor Benham, it proved to belong to a species of crayfish, allied to but quite distinct from our common form. Technically it is known as Palinurus hugeli. It is a somewhat common Australian and Tasmanian species, which has occasionally been met with in several parts of the North Auckland district.

The station authorities are still, therefore, on the look-out for a naturalised European lobster, and live in hope of re ceiving a specimen of this desirable and delectable crustacean one of these days.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19280807.2.11

Bibliographic details

Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 5

Word Count
438

INTRODUCTION OF EUROPEAN LOBSTERS. Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 5

INTRODUCTION OF EUROPEAN LOBSTERS. Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 5