Lobster hatcheries producing juveniles for restocking into wild fisheries raise welfare questions about the conditions in which larvae and juvenile lobsters are held before release.
Lobster larvae in hatchery conditions face welfare challenges from crowding, cannibalism, and water quality management. The highly cannibalistic nature of lobster larvae means that inadequate individual rearing conditions cause significant mortality and injury among siblings. Water quality management including ammonia and CO2 control is critical for larval welfare and survival. The welfare of egg-bearing females held in hatchery tanks while eggs hatch requires attention to appropriate substrate, shelter, and water quality. Post-release welfare is challenging to assess, but releasing well-conditioned individuals provides the best welfare outcome for those that survive.