Record number of adult lobsters safely returned to sea in 2024 through BIM's V-notching programme

Today (Thursday 21 November) we are marking World Fisheries Day by recognising the achievements of inshore fishers taking part in our v-notching programme. 225 fishers in nearly 80 locations around Ireland took part this year, resulting in over 47,000 adult lobsters being safely returned to the sea – the highest number on record.

The lobster v-notching scheme aims to improve the sustainability of Ireland’s lobster fishery by protecting female lobsters so that they can successfully breed a number of times before being harvested. Commercial fishers bring egg-bearing female lobsters they encounter while fishing ashore for v-notching by BIM staff. This involves cutting a small v-shaped notch in the tail of the female lobster which is then returned to the sea to breed. This marking confers legal protection on the lobster which cannot be landed, transported or sold and must be returned to the sea if caught again. The v-notch typically last three moults and enables the lobster to spawn every second year for up to six years after v-notching.

Commenting on the results, Ian Lawler, Development Manager, BIM said,

“Despite a late start in the season the 2024 v-notching programme was extremely successful- some 47,000 lobsters with a weight of over 31  tonnes (5% of total lobster landings)  were v-notched and returned to the sea to breed at nearly 80 locations around the coast. These lobsters will produce over 352 million lobster larvae to maintain the population in their first year after v-notching.”

Monitored by BIM staff and co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Commission, fishers taking part in the programme are protecting the species, maintaining the industry and building a sustainable future. A total of €568,000 in grant aid was awarded to fishers this year as part of this scheme supported by the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.

You can watch our v-notching video by clicking here.