THE National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow, Cornwall has been presented with a Pride in Seafood award for its "outstanding" contribution to the UK seafood industry.
The hatchery was established in 2000 with the aim of enhancing lobster stocks in Cornwall, and at the heart of its work is an innovative restocking project.
Local fishermen bring pregnant female lobsters in to the hatchery, to give them a chance to release their offspring in captivity, where there are no predators. The young lobsters are then raised to a size where they can be released back into the sea and look after themselves.
As a result, thousands of lobsters reared at the hatchery have been released around the Cornish coastline, an initiative which has been of great benefit of the local industry.
The hatchery also hosts a visitor centre which has about 30,000 visitors per year and this winter will embark on an extensive revamp of the facility to include even more information to appeal to as wide a range of audiences as possible.
Accepting the award, General Manager Dylan Taylor said: “At the hatchery we're all really proud of our contribution to a sustainable lobster fishery and we're delighted to receive this award from Seafish in recognition of our work.
“The hatchery is enjoying it's most successful year in 2005. With the backing of the seafood industry, the government and the public, the hatchery aims to continue growing both in terms of lobster production and in providing new and exciting experiences for our visitors in Padstow.”
Seafish Chairman Andrew Dewar-Durie, who presented Dylan with the award said: “I am delighted to present Dylan with this award in recognition of his hard work and commitment. Individuals such Dylan and the rest of the team at the hatchery work tirelessly for the good of the industry and I think that it is wonderful we can pay public tribute in this way. “
The Pride in Seafood Awards were launched as part of the Pride in Seafood Campaign which is aimed at boosting the seafood industry's image as a forward-looking sector. The awards publicly recognise contributions made to the industry by outstanding individuals, companies and organisations.
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