American Lobster – Homarus americanus

Characteristics: 
American lobsters (fig. 1) are easily mistaken for native European lobsters, although there are distinguishing features. American lobsters are often slightly bigger with spines under their nose (Marine Directorate Communications, 2021), dark green to brown colouring on their backs, and a much redder hue on their underside (Stebbing et al, n.d.). European lobsters in comparison are smaller, bluer on top and pale cream underneath (Marine Directorate Communications, 2021). 
American Lobsters live in a wide range of habitats, both near the coast and far offshore (NNSS, 2017). They can also migrate reasonably wide distances, allowing them to settle 10s of miles from where they were deposited or escaped (NNSS, 2017). Their native range is very similar in condition to Scottish waters, thus they would likely be very successful should they be allowed to establish here (NNSS, 2015). 

Native Range and Distribution:
The American Lobster is native to the East Coast of North America, from Newfoundland in Canada to North Carolina in the USA (Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre, n.d.). It is not believed that any populations have established elsewhere in the world, however the species has been sighted in many countries, such as the Scandinavian countries, Iceland, the UK, Italy and Israel (Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre, n.d.).
While mobile in the water, the species has no way of independently travelling the vast distance from America to Scotland. As such, all EU sightings are the result of human introductions (Marine Directorate Communications, 2021). As the species is a sought-after foodstuff, they are often shipped or flown live across the globe (Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre, n.d.). One known method of release for example has been from cruise liners, dispositing unused supplies into the ocean (NNSS, 2017). 
As of 2024, NBN Atlas records just 29 confirmed sightings of the species in the UK, only one of which was in Scotland, near to Buckie on the Morray Coast in 2010 (NBN Atlas, 2024). All recorded UK sightings are shown in fig. 2.

Risk: 
Being so similar to European lobsters, one of the main threats posed by American lobsters is inbreeding as well as vectoring parasites and outcompeting native species (Marine Directorate Communications, 2021). Overall, there have been so few sightings of American Lobsters in Scottish waters that the Scottish Government classes the current risk as very low (Marine Directorate Communications, 2021).
The lobster industry is an important part of the UK’s economy. In 2020, shellfish pot catch contributed 10% of the total UK fisheries catch that year (Coombes, 2022), while in 2017 it was estimated that lobster catch puts a yearly £32 million into the UK economy (Holmyard, 2017). As such, should the American lobster establish in Scotland, the degradation of native lobsters would affect the economic value of this industry. 

Control:
As of 2020, the ‘Retain and Report’ scheme has been in operation in Scotland and England. This scheme encourages anyone who has caught or seen an American lobster, or a lobster they were unable to identify, to register the sighting. Should they have caught the animal, they are encouraged to retain it to prevent it interacting with native populations (Marine Directorate Communications, 2021). 
Additionally, it is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to release American Lobsters into the wild (NNSS, 2015). Breaking this law carries a severe penalty. For example, two individuals were fined a combined total of £28,220 for releasing 361 lobsters into the English Channel during a Buddhist religious ceremony (Marine Management Organisation, 2017).