Lobster Farming in the Philippines: How to Grow and Culture Lobster

April 7, 2024 by Lauro Braganza

Lobster farming provides a unique opportunity to explore the depths of the sea and expand our knowledge of these mysterious creatures. In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about lobster farming, from how to grow and culture them to your potential challenges. Get ready for an adventure like no other!

Introduction to Lobster Farming

Lobster farming is an aquaculture practice in which lobster larvae are raised to maturity. It is a relatively new industry that began in the early 1990s. Lobster farming has several benefits over wild-caught lobsters.

First, it allows for a more consistent supply of lobsters year-round.
Second, it reduces the pressure on wild lobster populations, helping to ensure their long-term sustainability.
Finally, lobster farmers can control the size and quality of their products, guaranteeing consumers a superior product.

Lobster farming is not without its challenges, however. The biggest challenge is obtaining a reliable source of live lobster larvae. These larvae must be carefully monitored and cared for to survive and thrive. The costs of setting up and maintaining a lobster farm can also be high. But for those who are willing to invest the time and money, lobster farming can be a rewarding and profitable endeavor.

What is Needed for a Lobster Farm?

A lobster farm is an aquaculture facility where lobster breeding and rearing occur. The primary purpose of a lobster farm is to produce live lobsters for the seafood industry. Lobster farming is a relatively new form of aquaculture, and it is not as common as fish farming or shrimp farming.

There are two main types of lobster farms: offshore and onshore. Offshore farms are located in the open ocean, while onshore farms are located on the coast. Onshore farms are less expensive than offshore farms, but they are more susceptible to pollution and disease.

Lobsters are typically grown in saltwater tanks or ponds. The water must be kept at a constant temperature and have a high dissolved oxygen level. Lobsters also need access to food and shelter.

Lobster farming is a highly regulated industry. To start a lobster farm, you must obtain a permit from the government and have a minimum amount of experience working with lobsters.

The Different Types of Lobsters

Lobsters come in many different shapes and sizes, but they can broadly be classified into two main types: American or Maine lobster (Homarus americanus) and European lobster (H. gammarus). American lobsters are typically larger and have a darker shell, while European lobsters are more undersized with a lighter-colored shell. There are also many different subspecies of lobster, which vary in size, color, and habitat.

Maine or American lobster (Homarus americanus) is the most common type of lobster consumed in the United States. These lobsters are characterized by their large size and dark greenish-brown shells. They are found in the cold waters off the coast of Maine and can grow up to 3 feet long! Maine lobsters are caught using baited traps that are dropped into the ocean. Once caught, they are immediately brought to shore, boiled or steamed alive.

European lobster (H. gammarus) is the other main type of lobster consumed globally. These lobsters have a light-colored shell and are smaller than Maine lobsters, averaging only 1-2 pounds. They are found in saltwater environments along the coasts of Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Like Maine lobsters, European lobsters are also caught using baited traps but may be hand-picked by divers in some areas. European lobsters can be cooked using the same methods as Maine lobsters.

In the Philippines, two types of lobster are farmed but highly regulated: spiny lobster and slipper lobster.

Spiny lobsters, locally known as banagan, are a species belonging to family 56 Palinuridae of the ubphylum Crustacea. They are called spiny lobsters due to the many spines 57 on their carapace and basal segments of the long second antennae.

Slipper lobster (Thenus orientalis) has been identified as one of the Philippines’ prime candidate species for aquaculture. Ongoing studies are aimed at launching a new lobster farming industry in the country and Southeast Asia.

How to Care for a Lobster Farm?

Lobster farming is a process that requires great care and attention. To ensure a successful harvest, it is essential to follow these best practices:

Maintain clean water conditions: Lobsters require clean, well-oxygenated water to thrive. Dissolved organic matter and high levels of ammonia can stress and even kill them. Be sure to regularly test your water quality and take steps to maintain optimal conditions.
Feed them a nutritious diet: A healthy diet is essential for lobster growth and development. Lobsters are omnivorous, so they eat a variety of animal and plant matter. Be sure to provide a balanced diet that includes plenty of protein sources, such as fish or shrimp.
Provide adequate shelter: Lobsters need shelter from predators and harsh weather conditions. Be sure to provide plenty of hiding places, such as rocks or shells.
Monitor for disease: Disease can spread quickly in a lobster population, so it is essential to monitor for signs of illness and take steps to prevent its spread. Some common diseases include shell rot, white spot disease, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection.

Lobster Farming: Feeding and Breeding

Lobsters are omnivorous and will eat just about anything, including other lobsters. In the wild, they are known to scavenge for food, but in captivity, they must be fed a diet of fresh seafood and vegetables. A typical lobster diet consists of:

Fresh fish (such as herring, cod, or haddock)
Shellfish (such as shrimp, crab, or squid)
Fish guts
Krill
Seaweed

Lobsters can live for several decades and grow to be very large. The oldest recorded lobster was 50 years old and weighed 20 kilograms! In captivity, however, they typically only grow to about 4.5 kilograms.

Breeding lobsters is a tricky business. In the wild, female lobsters release pheromones into the water to attract mates. Once a male lobster finds a mate, he will clasp onto her with his claws and fertilize her eggs internally. In captivity, however, triggering this mating behavior is much more difficult. As a result, most commercially raised lobsters are sterile females. If you hope to breed your lobsters at home, your best bet is to purchase a breeding pair from a reputable dealer.

Harvesting and Sales

Lobsters are typically harvested when they reach 450 to 800 grams in weight. Most commercial operations use traps to catch lobsters, sorted by size and kept alive in tanks or transported live to market. Some lobster farmers may choose to kill and process their lobsters on-site, but this is less common.

Farmers must ensure that they are correctly packed and chilled when selling live lobsters to keep them fresh. It is also important to have a good relationship with a local seafood dealer or wholesaler, as they will purchase your lobsters. If you are selling processed lobster meat, you will need to find a buyer for your product, usually done online or by contacting restaurants and retailers directly.

In 2023, the approximate price range for Philippines lobster is P280 to P800 per kilogram, depending on the location. Live lobsters are more expensive and can be sold for up to P1,200 per kilogram.

Challenges of Lobster Farming

Lobster farming is not without its challenges. One of the biggest is keeping the lobster population healthy and disease-free. A sick lobster can quickly spread disease to other lobsters in the tank, so it’s important to identify and isolate any sick lobsters as soon as possible. Another challenge is maintaining water quality. Lobsters are very sensitive to changes in water quality, so it’s important to regularly test the water and ensure that all parameters are within acceptable levels. Lastly, lobsters are also susceptible to predation from other fish or animals. This can be a problem if you have other fish in your tank, so it’s important to keep an eye on your lobster population and remove any predators as soon as possible.

Questions Related to Lobster Farming

How long does it take to grow a lobster?

It takes 5 to 7 years for a lobster to grow to the legal size to harvest. A lobster at a minimum legal size will weigh approximately 450 grams. (Based on Maine’s legal minimum of 3 1/4″ carapace size.

Are lobster farms profitable?

Therefore, lobster culture is a profitable industry, provided adequate seeds can be collected without disturbing the wild fishery. To succeed in lobster farming on a commercial scale, suitable artificial diets and feeding regimes must be formulated and established.

What is farmed vs wild lobster?

What’s the difference? Simply put, wild-caught seafood is caught from a natural habitat (lake, ocean, river), whereas farmed seafood is raised in large tanks. The two in the store or on your plate could look the same but are not promised to be equivalent.

Are lobsters hard to farm?

Lobsters are tough to raise in captivity. They take a long time to grow, eat a lot, and are susceptible to a contagious, fatal disease. But if Darden Restaurants can make its project work, it could revolutionize how lobsters get to our dinner plates.

Why are lobsters not farm-raised?

The creatures are notoriously hard to grow from eggs because of their complex life cycles—one of the longest larval developments of any marine creature—which require slightly different growing conditions in the various early stages of their lives.

Is lobster as healthy as fish?

Seafood is often praised as a healthy protein. Fish is a great source of omega-3 fats, vitamin D, and protein compared to other meats. Fish is also low in saturated fats and is suitable for your heart. Lobster is no exception.

Conclusion

Lobster farming is an increasingly popular way to bring delicious seafood to your dinner table. With the proper knowledge and resources, it can be a great venture for aspiring entrepreneurs looking for a steady source of revenue or hobbyists who want to provide their families with fresh lobster. Whether you plan on raising lobsters in tanks, cages, or ponds, there are many aspects to consider, from water quality and temperature requirements to feeding habits so that your lobster can thrive and grow. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way toward creating a successful lobster farm!