Taiwan News
Date: 2019/08/22
By:  Central News Agency

Taipei (CNA) A giant ornate spiny lobster (panulirus ornatus) was caught off the coast of eastern Taitung County and released Wednesday by a local voluntary group that has released more than 300 lobsters over the past six years, according to environmental activist Chi Hsiang-yu (池祥鈺).

The lobster, weighing around three kilograms and 40 centimeters in length, was caught by a fisherman and released by Chi.

The lobster, carrying roe on its underside, is five times heavier than the common species of spiny lobster (panulirus homarus) found along the east coast of Taiwan, which weigh up to only 600 grams and are 20 cm in length, Chi said.

The released lobster is also the heaviest ornate spiny lobster caught in Taitung in recent years. Two were caught and set free in 2014 and 2018, respectively, both weighing 2.4 kg, the conservationist said.    [FULL  STORY]