Spring Newsletter 2026

See full newsletter here: https://whitbylobsterhatchery.co.uk/storage/spring-s-here

Looking Back: A Record-Breaking 2025 Season

We ended the 2025 season on an enormous high. Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers, local fishermen, funders, and the wider Whitby community, we released over 20,000 juvenile lobsters back into the North Sea — our most successful year yet, with 5,000 more than the 2024 season.

2026 Season Has Begun

We have already introduced 4 egg-bearing female lobsters (berried hens) into the hatchery and the first hatchlings are almost ready for release. We're going through the alphabet when naming our mothers-to-be, with this season's category being flowers! Meet Agapanthus, Bluebell, Cosmos & Daffodil.

As of 31st March, we had our first baby lobster moult to stage 4 — when these little ones start looking like proper lobsters and enter their benthic (bottom-dwelling) stage. At this point they have a much better chance of survival, as they are almost impossible to find buried in the sediment and rocky sea bed.

We're on TV!

ITV Calendar News will be filming at the hatchery this spring. The first segment — an introduction to the hatchery — is being filmed in April, with a second segment (a community lobster release) planned for July. The team recently had media training from School of Pod, so we're prepped and ready!

Locals Weekend Was a Huge Success

Our Free Locals Weekend on 14th & 15th March was bigger and better than ever, welcoming over 800 visitors across the two days. A huge thank you to Crumb & Get It, who donated a share of their sales and pretty much sold out both days.

The tombola raised £600 across the two days — with prizes donated by Baytown Coffee, Furbellows, Little Whitby Potter, The Whitby Witch, Whitby Wholefoods, Lacey Brown Art, Bothams, Whitby Distillery, and the Co-op. Every penny goes directly to the hatchery's conservation work.

Trip to The Deep, Hull

Staff and volunteers had the pleasure of visiting The Deep Aquarium in Hull, including a behind-the-scenes tour of the life support rooms and inner workings of the aquarium.

Larry the Lobster Raffle

Enter our art raffle for Larry the Lobster! Tickets are just £2 each, with all funds going directly to our conservation work. Running until 12th April.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/ticketing/larry-the-lobster-raffle-for-the-whitby-lobster-hatchery

Big News: Phase 2 — The Fish Market Improvement Project

North Sea Conservation has submitted a planning application for a major renovation of the Whitby Fish Market building on Pier Road. The project will renovate and extend the historic building, creating new office, research, and welfare space for the hatchery and Marine Discovery Centre — including a dramatic new entrance facing Pier Road.

Planning reference: 25/04301/FUL — North Yorkshire Council Portal

Spring Events & Dates for Your Diary

• 3rd April — Lobster release, 11:15am, Whitby East Pier

• 3rd–6th April — Made in Whitby Easter Festival, Whitby Abbey

• 9th April — Lobster Blessing, 11am, Whitby Marine Discovery Centre

• 17th April — Lobster release, 10:15am, location TBC

• 16th–17th May — Fish and Ships Festival, Marina Front Car Park

• 16th May — Lobster release, 10:00am, location TBC

• 17th May — Lobster release, 10:45am, location TBC