The heaviest UK-landed
common lobster is settling into his new home.
Weighing in at nearly 17lb (7.65kg), he is the heaviest common
lobster to be discovered in UK waters since 1931.
The lobster, which was initially called Lionel, was
discovered earlier this month in waters off Lannacombe beach, north
Devon, by free diver Joe Pike.
It was taken to the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth to be
weighed and checked over by vets.
The lobster has now joined the
Aquarium's Plymouth Sound tank with a brand new name, JJ - in
honour of British Olympic silver medal-winning boxer Joe Joyce, a
super heavyweight.
Aquarium curator James Wright said: "After weighing JJ in at
7.65kg, it does indeed look like he is the heaviest
common lobster to be discovered in UK waters since
1931.
"It is however, very hard to age a lobster, especially at
this size due to the frequency with which they moult, and growth is
affected by all kinds of factors, but we estimate he is around 50
to 70 years old.
"As JJ had experienced a significant amount of time out of the
water, we needed to make sure that no long-term damage had been
imposed.
"He has spent some time with our husbandry team who have been
monitoring his progress very closely and we're happy to report he
has been feeding well and is on the road to recovery."
Mr Wright added: "JJ now has pride of place welcoming
visitors to the first display they see in our Plymouth Sound
exhibit.
"Once he's made a full recovery, he will be moved to our
Eddystone Reef exhibit, where he will join other native marine
species, such as bass, pollock, greater spotted catsharks and
smoothhound sharks."
Europe's biggest ever
common lobster was caught off Fowey in Cornwall in 1931
and weighed nearly 20lb (9kg).
Common lobsters are dark blue in colour with yellowish
spots and can measure up to 3ft (1m) in total length.
