The Manx Lobster are a sustainable seafood business specialising in lobster, crab and fish caught locally and ran by Port St Mary couple Michael and Tracey.
The Manx Lobster set up the business to run as sustainably as possible. They have switched to recyclable and eco-friendly packaging where possible and will be providing cards to customers to promote how packaging can be disposed of responsibly.
The Manx Lobster have a boat, Vervain, in Port St Mary and Michael only fishes in the waters between Castletown and Port Erin. The catch is landed in Port St Mary and taken to their small factory on Alfred Pier, just 500 meters away from where the products are smoked and cooked.
From the beginning it was important to The Manx Lobster to only catch and process the quantities required to prevent over catching and waste. This method is achieved by taking weekly pre-orders and only selling a small amount of stock at their Saturday shop. By working this way the business creates less than 5% food waste per year.
The owners of The Manx Lobster are proudly Manx-born and raised, with particularly strong ties to the village of Port St Mary where they now conduct their business in a circular fashion. Michael has been fishing since he could walk and his passion for the trade runs in his blood, aligning with the history of fishing in Port St Mary village.
The Manx Lobster have been awarded Product of Isle of Man certification for all products which recognises the locality of their food - this is only awarded for products which are 100% Manx in every respect.
The Manx Lobster are constantly looking at ways to expand their business without growing their carbon footprint and ideas include a potential mobile shop. They are members of the Port St Mary business association which aims to support all businesses in the community and promote the village’s offerings.
The Manx Lobster are big ambassadors of other local businesses on the Island and have an excellent relationship with many of them, using and promoting their services as much as they can, from buying packaging supplies for the business to personal purchases.
