Lobster deposits in England and Wales

If you plan to deposit or introduce lobsters into England and Wales you must comply with The Lobsters (Control of Deposit) Order 1981. This is government leglislation that controls all lobster desposits in England and Wales.

The Order has 2 different types of licence:

• a general licence - which applies to everyone
• an individual licence - which you can apply for

General licence

This licence allows you to deposit the following:

• European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) as long as they aren't held in the same storage facility that contains, or has contained, American lobsters (Homarus americanus).
• European or American lobsters held on the site where they will be consumed - providing that the water in which the lobsters were held, or lobster waste, is discharged into tidal waters.
• Canned, frozen or prepared European or American lobsters
• American lobsters as long as the site where the animals will be held is more than 1 mile away from tidal waters.

Individual licence

For any deposits not specified above, you must apply for an individual licence. You can apply by completing form FIS9. This must then be sent to the Fish Health Inspectorate(FHI), whose contact details are on the form.

The legislation

The Order was introduced in 1981 to prevent the introduction and spread of the lobster disease Gaffkaemia. This bacterial infection can result in significant losses in held lobsters. It spreads through contact with infected animals, contaminated equipment, packaging and water.

Advice

If you need advice on the storage of lobsters, disinfection of holding facilities and related matters please contact the FHI by email fhi@cefas.co.uk or by telephone on 01305 206700.