Cold weather drives up lobster prices

Lobster prices have risen sharply due to a shortage caused by cold weather driving the crustaceans further out to sea.

According to the Scottish Creel Fishermen's Federation landings off the east coast of Scotland had fallen by up to 90%, while langoustine catches were down as much as 70%.

Federation chairman Alistair Sinclair told the BBC: "Lobster is as rare as hens' teeth at the moment.

"The east coast has experienced a winter of turbulence and a lot of damage has been caused by the winds.

"The prolonged cold snap has just set everything back."

The cold weather means that lobsters hibernate further out to sea, making them more difficult to catch. Fishermen have also spent more time repairing their equipment due to poor weather damaging lobster baskets (creels).

Limited stocks mean that the price per kilo has risen sharply.

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