Researchers helping lobsters to look their red best for market may have unravelled a natural phenomenon unique to the western rock lobster.

The western rock lobster is the only known lobster to undergo a once-in-a-lifetime colour change called the ‘white’ phase which occurs during their migration to breeding grounds offshore.

Marine Science PhD Student Nick Wade is conducting a collaborative research project between AIMS and the University of Queensland endeavouring to understand the colour transformation and develop a method to enhance the pigment prior to market.

‘White’ lobsters are the predominant catch during the early months of the fishery but they fetch significantly lower prices than ‘reds’ on the international market. The industry claims it costs them dearly, to the tune of millions of dollars annually.

So far Mr Wade has discovered the protein responsible for shell colour formation and found it to be significantly less abundant in ‘white’ than in ‘reds’.

The next step is to develop a food supplement to reverse the colour loss and meet the demand for a blushing shell.

The Western Rock Lobster fishery is Australia’s most valuable single species fishery generating $300 million annually.

This research may also be useful in the future for shell colour enhancement of farmed lobsters or any crustacean in need of cosmetic dressing up for market.

Nick Wade’s evidence challenges the long held theory that the ‘white’ phase is brought about by a change of diet and or response to the background colour of their natural environment.

He said it is more likely to be genetically based, an inbuilt mechanism that triggers the colour change during this one moult cycle preparing the animal for migration.

‘This is fundamental knowledge that contributes to a better understanding, management, and conservation of the species,’ Mr Wade said.

Both Nick Wade and his jet-setting lobsters are currently in Townsville, all the way from their base in Perth, continuing their research into crustacean shell colour, and helping lobsters live up to their red reputation.