Modelling climate impact and moulting-failure syndrome on European lobster (Homarus gammarus) and mitigation strategies

Objective

European lobster (Homarus gammarus) is a commercially important lobster species that suffers critical deformities, including molting-failure syndrome, often attributed to elevated temperature. With climate impact having a more significant threat to the marine environments, there will be a knock-on effect on lobster robustness and moulting success. Mitigating this challenge via nutritional intervention could be a feasible and sustainable option for lobster aquaculture and further improve or sustain their commercial production. The MOULT Fellowship sets out a novel question: What is the impact on lobster survival due to temperature elevation, and whether nutrition intervention could reverse this effect? MOULT proposes the following research, which will be undertaken in three phases as follows: Objective 1) Field survey baseline data to model the climate impact on H. gammarus with a focus on moulting stress and survivorship, reflecting current and predicted global sea warming. Objective 2) Determine the varying-temperature (heatwaves and chronic effects on the metabolic rate and demands (respirometry assessment) of temperature-induced stress in lobster. Objective 3) Mitigate the temperature impact on lobster moulting process, using functional feed ingredients, and determine the protective efficacy using molecular, physiological, morphological, and immunological indicators. MOULT will determine climate-related impacts on European lobster moulting success and mitigation strategy. The MOULT project will also offer a unique opportunity to advance my career through new partnerships, collaborations, and workshop training programmes to consolidate my professional, scientific, and communication skills (Objective 4).