Protecting, Pioneering, Inspiring

Welcome to The National Lobster Hatchery

The National Lobster Hatchery is a marine conservation, research and education charity based in Padstow, Cornwall, UK. What makes us unique is that our work is specifically related to a commercial species – The European Lobster and in the last few decades we have successfully established ourselves as a centre of expertise on a global scale.

Marine Conservation in Action

Lobster is worth a huge amount in terms of both its economic and social importance. Consequently they are subject to considerable fishing pressure and vulnerable to catastrophic stock collapse. Our pioneering project working alongside the fishing community to proactively support sustainability and conserve stocks has established us as world leaders in our field.

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News & Events

Reflections on 25 Years of the National Lobster Hatchery

A Personal Perspective on Two and a Half Decades of Conservation and Innovation, from our founder Eddy Derriman MBE for our 25th anniversary on 20th October 2025. As I reflect […]

My Placement at the Hatchery

Hey! My name is Stan, and I’ve just recently finished my year in industry working with the NLH; and I’m now in my final year of Marine Biology at Swansea […]

NLH helps show genetic diversity is maintained during lobster stocking

The National Lobster Hatchery has completed an important study that found critical genetic diversity of wild stocks is not impacted by hatchery lobster releases. Working together with local pot fishermen […]