BIOLOGY
Scampi or langoustine live in burrows on the seabed. They are limited to a muddy habitat and require sediment with a silt and clay content to excavate burrows. Their distribution therefore is determined by the availability of suitable habitat. Males grow relatively quickly to around 6cm, but seldom exceed 10 years old. Females grow more slowly and can reach 20 years old. Females mature at about 3 years. In the autumn they lay eggs which remain attached to the tail for 9 months. Hatching occurs in the Spring.
ADVICE
Trawl fisheries for scampi (Nephrops) are associated with large quantities of by-catch including overfished species such as cod and juvenile fish. Increase the sustainability of the scampi you eat by choosing pot or creel caught rather than trawled scampi. The Loch Torridon creel fishery and Stornoway trawl fishery have been certified as environmentally sustainable fisheries by the Marine Stewardship Council.
