Norway lobster

Nephrops norvegicus

This species is also frequently called nephrops lobster and sometimes also langoustine or scampi.

Distribution

This lobster is widespread in the northeast Atlantic, from the mid part of Norway and south into the Mediterranean Sea. In Icelandic waters, it lives in the warmer waters off the south, southeast and southwest coast, mostly at depths of 110-270 m and ocean temperatures of 6-9 °C.

Ecology

Its habitat is a soft bottom of clay or sand where it digs extensive tunnels and feeds on small bottom animals. The males are more mobile and spend a longer time outside the tunnels. This is reflected in catches, as the majority are males.

Fisheries

Experimental lobster fisheries were first conducted in Icelandic waters in 1939 but were not continued. Some low scale fisheries began in 1951 and large-scale fisheries commenced in 1958. Nephrops catches in Icelandic waters have been in the order of 1,200-4,000 tonnes per year in the last 30 years.

The lobster-fishing season traditionally lasts from 15 May to 31 August, although fishing is permitted to the end of September. Nephrops lobster is caught by nephrops trawl.

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