The world's tastiest and rarest lobster from the most remoted spot on earth.
(UNITED KINGDOM, 10/13/2014)
Chefs and retailers will soon be targeted with the sashimi-grade Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified rock lobster from the world’s most remote waters.
The European shellfish market is about to be shaken up with the launch of the uniqueTristan Lobster into the HoReCa (hotel, restaurant and catering) and sustainability-minded retail sectors.
The Tristan Lobster is a coldwater rock lobster, caught around the remote islands of the Tristan da Cunha archipelago. This British Overseas Territory is located 1,500 miles west of Cape Town, South Africa. The species is endemic to Tristan’s four volcanic islands and has been commercially caught since 1947.
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| The full product range will be launched into the EU market in November 2014, including its top-selling flagship product, sashimi-grade whole raw frozen lobster. |
These lobsters, which are certified according to Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability standard, are a firm favourite with consumers in the US, Japanese and Australian markets, despite the annual catch averaging just 400 tonnes.
Andrew James, managing director of the sole fishing company in the Tristan Lobster fishery, says: "We are delighted that the Tristan Lobster will soon start appearing on menus throughout the EU. These are the most exceptional lobsters in every sense and while we could easily supply the entire annual harvest to our current markets, it has long been our ambition to offer our product to the European market. It is no secret that distributors across Europe have chased us for many years to do so. Now that we are finally here, we hope the market appreciates the lobsters’ unique provenance and MSC-certification alongside their superior flavour.”
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| The most exceptional lobsters in every sense and while we could easily supply the entire annual harvest to our current markets, it has long been our ambition to offer our product to the European market. |
Because of the remote location of the fishery and to ensure maximum food safety and shelf-life, Tristan Lobsters are only available in frozen formats. For chef convenience, these include: Whole Cooked Frozen (WCF) Lobster, Whole Raw Frozen (WRF) Lobster, Sashimi Grade WRF Lobster, Raw Frozen Lobster Tails and Raw Frozen Lobster Heads.
The market leading freezing method used with all Tristan products ensures customers receive end products of outstanding freshness, in addition to the convenience of stable pricing and year-round availability.
The full product range will be launched into the EU market in November 2014, including its top-selling flagship product, sashimi-grade whole raw frozen lobster.
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| The tail yield of a Janus tristani has an official value of 33.29%, can be as high as 36 what is much higher than that of the South African Janus lalandii (29.4%) and other Jasus species. |
About Tristan Lobster
The remote island of Tristan da Cunha is the most isolated inhabited island in the world, located some 1500 miles to the west of the nearest mainland of Cape Town, South Africa. Tristan Rock Lobster (Jasus tristani), which has a particularly succulent taste, unequalled anywhere in the world, is caught in these deep, cold, pristine waters midway between Africa and South America on the edge of the famous “Roaring Forties”.
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| The remote island of Tristan da Cunha. |
The fishery is managed by quota and effort limitations, which are vigorously adhered to by the current concessionaire, Ovenstone Agencies, with a view to long-term sustainable utilisation of the resource. Commercial fishing has been thriving for over 60 years and the prognosis for the fishery is excellent with catch per unit effort analyses indicating that the biomass of the resource is in a healthy state. The Tristanians operate an inshore fleet of nine two-man dinghies, around the island of Tristan da Cunha, where fishing is the main source of income. Experienced personnel at the factory on Tristan da Cunha process the lobster caught by these fishermen.