Giant lobster landed by boy, 16



The lobster was caught during a fishing competition

A 16-year-old boy has caught a giant lobster during a fishing competition off the Kent coast.

The 11lb 3oz (5kg) crustacean was netted off the coast of Dover by Louie Smith from Deal and experts believe it could be up to 50 years old.

Louie's father, Brian, said his son was very eager and went fishing at every opportunity he got.

Jos Wiggins, from the Kent and Essex Sea Fisheries Committee, said the lobster was "exceptionally large".

Louie did not win first place in the competition because the rules did not allow crustaceans. Instead he came second thanks to landing a big fish.

Once the lobster was weighed it was returned to the sea.

World record

Mr Smith said his son, a trainee carpenter, always made big catches when he was out fishing.

Lobsters can grow to large sizes if they occupy areas of the seabed which are protected by wrecks or escape intensive fishing, Mr Wiggins added.

According to the Guinness World Records, the heaviest marine crustacean to be found was an American or North Atlantic lobster which weighed 44lb 6oz (20.14kg).

It was discovered off the east coast of North America in 1977.

(source:BBC)

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