Galway Atlantaquaria is currently caring for an extremely rare Slipper Lobster found off Aran recently. This is the first recorded landing of this species this far into the Atlantic north — The last time this species was discovered so far from its original habitat was in 2011 by a Cornish fisherman, east of Falmouth England and Cork, 2007.
The Slipper Lobster was landed by Skipper John Connolly of the ‘Connacht Ranger’ from Kilronan on Inis Mor, and landed into Ros a Mhil.
Turlough Smith (FEAS ) of the Marine Institute then contacted the Aquarium for pick up and it is being looked after at Galway Atlantaquaria.
“My nieces and nephews were very excited about the Slipper Lobster, and named it Tréan, which is an old Irish word for hardy and brave and usually associated with warriors.
“The fact it was so small, came so far north, and survived being towed up in a big net full of spurdogs, stones and prawns does make the name seem pretty apt,” said Mr Connolly
The Slipper Lobster Scyllarus arctus species is distributed throughout the Mediterranean, and is found bottom dwelling on the continental shelf eating food like oysters and molluscs.
Galway Atlantaquaria placed the Slipper Lobster into quarantine, and assigned an aquarist responsibility for its care. After a week of isolation and intensive screening the Slipper Lobster was introduced into the Aquarium and is progressing well.
Galway Atlantaquaria will continue to present more information about Treain on its website and social media see: www.nationalaquarium.ie for more information.
