Growth and pre-realease juvenile lobsters conditioning

Develop Integrate Multitrophic Aquaculture techniques (IMTA) to enhance the use of mussel farm waste and promote the growth of juvenile lobsters for release in restoration programs. A pilot sea-based container culture (SBCC) programme was established in collaboration with local operators in Vigo (NW Spain). Lobsters were reared in individual compartments suspended from mussel rafts, enriched with mussel shells to simulate natural conditions. This integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) approach aimed to enhance pre-release conditioning while valorising aquaculture waste, testing whether larger, semi-naturally reared juveniles improve restoration outcomes.