By Greg Wright

Published 21st Jul 2023, 10:47 BST

Updated 21st Jul 2023, 10:48 BST

The Whitby Lobster Hatchery is set to expand thanks to a donation of £95,000 from the Woodsmith Foundation, an independent charity funded by Anglo American with the aim of leaving a positive legacy from the Woodsmith mining project in the boroughs of Scarborough, Redcar, Cleveland and the North York Moors National Park. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the Woodsmith Project is set to receive more investment as it moves towards mining polyhalite by 2027. The project is currently building two deep mine shafts over a mile deep near Sneaton, south of Whitby and a tunnel to a processing area at Wilton on Teesside.

The donation to The Whitby Lobster Hatchery is the next stage of support for the charity which has already received more than £50,000 from Anglo American directly.

A spokesman said: “Lobsters now make up the majority of income for local fishermen, replacing white fish as the main target species. The Hatchery will aim to dramatically increase lobster numbers off the North Yorkshire coast by protecting juveniles during their most vulnerable period, before eventually releasing 100,000 lobsters back into the North Sea, boosting the local fishing trade as a result.”

The Whitby Lobster Hatchery is set to expand thanks to a donation of £95,000 from the Woodsmith Foundation. Pictured is Hatchery owner and founder Joe Redfern (Photo supplied by Woodsmith Foundation)

Joe Redfern, owner and founder of the Hatchery, said: “We believe that this conservation effort, alongside effective management, will protect lobster fishing in Whitby by strengthening local lobster stocks and securing jobs for Whitby’s fishing fleet. We will continue to work towards our conservation aims and bring positive change to our coastline.”

Vicky Bolton, Social Programmes Manager for Anglo American’s Crop Nutrients business, said: “The Whitby Lobster Hatchery is a great example of what can be achieved when people work together. We are also delighted that the visitor centre will open in the summer to support tourism in the area and drive people to visit the hatchery.

“The potential to support the heritage of the area whilst having a positive impact on tourism fits well with our Thriving Communities programme.”

Woodsmith Foundation Chief Executive Leah Swain added: “The Whitby Lobster Hatchery will play an important part in safeguarding the economic future of fishermen in Whitby as lobsters provide a large percentage of their income.”

Anglo American and Woodsmith Foundation supports Whitby Lobster Hatchery