Aquatic development

Panulirus Ornatus

Panulirus ornatus is classified as Crustacea, Decapoda (order), Palinuridae (family), and Panulirus (genus). It has a wide geographical range in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and KwaZulu-Natal in the west to Japan and Fiji in the east. Panulirus ornatus is a tropical and subtropical variety, it is the major species of lobster breeding since it grows fastest in the lobster genus and it has the largest body size. The major breeding country of Panulirus ornatus is Vietnam. The current breeding method is to catch lobster fry from the sea and raise it by farmers. At present, those major farming countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia have banned the exportation of fry to protect the farmers.
 
There are typically two species of lobsters in the world: American Lobster and Spiny Lobster, each accounted for 54% and 38% of global lobster production respectively. The main differences between American Lobster and Spiny Lobster are that American Lobsters are found on the North Atlantic coast of America while Spiny Lobsters’ antennae are long, stout and spiny. Spiny lobsters are found in almost all warm seas, including the seas near Australia and Asia. Panulirus Ornatus , Green Lobsters, and Calico lobsters are the species of spiny lobster.







According to the US Department of Agriculture, the annual production of American Lobster is 246 million pounds and the annual production of the Spiny Lobster is 176 million pounds. The conservative estimation of output value can reach US$1.5 billion~US$3.5 billion. The estimated annual demand of a 2.5 pounds adult spiny lobster is about 70 million. According to the industry experience, the survival rate from a lobster fry to an adult lobster is about 50%, the annual demand for spiny lobster fry is estimated to be 140 million.

Based on the price of US$3-5/each, the annual output value of the spiny lobster fry market can reach US$400 million~US$700 million. All countries have tried to breed lobsters, but no successful mass production news has come out. At present, the average price of lobster fry has reached US$5, and even US$7-8 during the peak season. There is no lobster fry in Taiwan now. The goal of LDMB is to create the lobster kingdom again within three to five years with the successful of research and development.