Lobsters have been fished by Norwegians for centuries. From the 1930s and until the 1960s, Norway caught more lobsters than any other country in Western Europe. Income from the lobster fishery was huge, and lobster was the main source of income for a large number of coastal fishermen, who used to catch between 700 and 1,000 tonnes of lobster a year. In 1932 alone, 1,300 tonnes of lobster (that’s around 2.8 million individuals) were caught. In the following decades, the landings amounted to around 700 to 800 tons yearly.

By the turn of the century, however, it had become obvious that over-enthusiastic harvesting had its price. Lobster stocks were at a historically low level. In 2009, a mere 50 tonnes of lobster were sold. Something had to be done, and the government intervened. In 2006 four marine protection areas were created in the Skagerrak (the strait running between Norway and the southwest coast of Sweden) to try and help rebuild Norwegian lobster stocks.

One of these lobster protections areas is located in Hvaler, in Kvernsjær (the sound between Asmaløy and Kirkøy on Hvaler, Østfold). In 2008, 30 lobsters caught here were tagged with hydro-acoustic tags. Under-water buoys receive movement data from these individuals, which will be monitored and analysed. Research should help provide scientific documentation of how rapidly a lobster stock will recover in a completely protected area.

Did you know? Lobsters live up to 60 years. An adult weighs between 3-5kg, and is about 35cm long.

The lobster fishing season in Norway lasts from 1 October until 30 November. It is only allowed to fish lobster with lobster traps. Lobsters that are less than 25cm long must be released. Likewise lobsters with roe cannot be caught. It is forbidden to use lobster traps on Sundays and at night (an hour after sunset, and until an hour before sunrise).