TV presenter Noel Edmonds and his wife Liz have faced significant backlash after purchasing live lobsters from a farm shop and releasing them into the sea at Peel Harbour on the Isle of Man. The incident, captured in a clip shared on Instagram, has drawn criticism from marine biologists and the public alike, with concerns raised about the potential impact on marine ecosystems and the survival rates of the crustaceans.
Edmonds, 77, stated in the video that he and his wife felt "uncomfortable" seeing the lobsters confined in a tank at the local farm shop and decided to buy them to set them free. The video showed Liz Edmonds releasing the lobsters into the water, with Noel Edmonds commenting on the "nice clear water" and a seal passing by.
However, releasing lobsters purchased from shops or restaurants is generally discouraged by experts. According to marine biology perspectives, handled and stressed lobsters are often ill-equipped to survive in the wild. Furthermore, such actions can lead to the introduction of foreign diseases or disrupt local marine ecosystems through genetic mixing with native populations.
The owner of the farm shop, Matt Harrison, acknowledged the public reaction and stated that he has moved the lobster tank to a less prominent position within the shop, and is considering its complete removal. Harrison noted that while he is sensitive to people's feelings, the majority of customers support keeping the tank to support local businesses. He added that the lobsters were sourced from a young local shellfish fisherman.
Harrison detailed that the tank was maintained with charcoal filtration, weekly maintenance, and salinity levels matching the surrounding sea, with water temperatures kept between 7.1C and 7.4C. Lobsters were typically kept in the tank for no more than a fortnight before being sold. Customers could also purchase lobsters from other vendors along the Peel seafront.
Commenters on social media expressed dismay, with some stating that the lobsters had little chance of survival after being removed from the tank and released. Concerns about disease transfer and genetic mixing were also raised. In response to the controversy, Noel Edmonds has since disabled comments on his Instagram post.