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From thousands of tiny hatchlings to releases along the Cornish coast, it’s been a busy summer at The National Lobster Hatchery. As National Lobster Day arrives, we’re celebrating the highlights – and the people helping us protect these remarkable animals.
On Friday 25 September, we celebrated National Lobster Day – a chance to shine a spotlight on the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) and the conservation work taking place here in Padstow, Cornwall.
From the arrival of berried hens in spring to the release of juvenile lobsters into the wild, summer is one of the most exciting times of year at the Hatchery. Here are some of the highlights!
Photo credit: The National Lobster Hatchery / Alex Hyde
During our Baby Lobster Boom, visitors got a closer look at thousands of tiny hatchlings and discovered what it takes to raise a lobster from just a few millimetres long to a juvenile ready for release.
Their early life is challenging. After hatching, lobster larvae drift in the water column, exposed to predators and the elements. At the Hatchery, they receive specialist care through these vulnerable stages before beginning their journey back to the sea.
Discover the journey of a hatchery-reared lobster
Our Raise & Release programme gives juvenile European lobsters a head start before they return to suitable habitats around Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
And 2026 has been a remarkable year. In the first three months of the season, more hatchery-reared European lobsters were returned to the sea than were released throughout the whole of 2025.
From boat and harbour releases to underwater adventures with specially licensed fishermen, local communities and visitors, the programme has brought people together to experience marine conservation in action.
During National Marine Week, we also followed the journey from hatchery to habitat in collaboration with Cornwall Wildlife Trust. At Boardmasters, more than 300 people joined us to release 405 baby lobsters into the wild.
Different locations, one shared destination: the big blue.
Conservation doesn’t happen in isolation. Our work depends on fishermen, researchers, volunteers, supporters, businesses and visitors working together to support healthy seas.
This National Lobster Day, we’re particularly pleased to celebrate the support of Burger & Lobster, whose partnership helps champion the future of native lobster populations.
Following their support in 2025, Burger & Lobster continued their partnership with The National Lobster Hatchery for World Lobster Day 2026. The campaign added £1 to every bill at Burger & Lobster restaurants, with funds supporting our conservation work.
It’s a brilliant example of how businesses can turn their connection with the ocean into meaningful support for marine conservation.
A huge thank you to the Burger & Lobster team and their customers for sharing the lobster love!
The European lobster is an important both ecologically and as a commercial species, deeply connected to Cornwall’s fishing heritage and coastal communities. These fascinating animals grow by moulting, seek shelter among rocky habitats and play a part in the complex marine ecosystems around our coastline.
At The National Lobster Hatchery, our work brings together conservation, research, education and collaboration with the fishing community to better understand the species and explore how hatchery rearing can contribute to lobster stock enhancement.
National Lobster Day is an opportunity to celebrate this work – and the people helping make it possible.
Although summer is drawing to a close, there’s plenty more to discover at the Hatchery.
Our SOLSTICE photography exhibition by Mat Arney explores the relationship between seasons, moon, tide and lobster through a six-year photographic project. Opened on National Lobster Day, the exhibition is included with admission.
Whether you visit us in Padstow, adopt a lobster or support our work, you can be part of the story.
Photo credit: Mat Arney
National Lobster Day celebrates a remarkable species, but it also celebrates everyone working to protect it.
From the fishermen bringing berried hens to the Hatchery to our supporters, partners, visitors and donors, thank you for helping us Protect. Pioneer. Inspire.
National Lobster Day may be over for another year, but the lobster story continues.
Small claws. Big impact.
