BIOTIC Species Information for Nephrops norvegicus
Researched byLizzie Tyler Data supplied byUniversity of Sheffield
Refereed byThis information is not refereed.
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandCommon around most British coasts but not apparently recorded for the English Channel, the Bristol Channel or the Western Approaches. Populations also exist to the north east of Scotland on the Fladen Ground.
Global distributionNephrops norvegicus is widely distributed on muddy substrata throughout the north-east Atlantic from Iceland in the north to Morocco in the south. The species is found in the Mediterranean and is abundant in the Adriatic.
Biogeographic rangeNot researched Depth range200 - 800 m
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident   
Distribution Additional InformationMigration
Tagging experiments have shown that Nephrops norvegicus do not migrate large distances (Marine Institute, 2001). In laboratory mesocosms individuals displayed very territorial behaviour, aggressively defending their burrows (Marine Institute, 2001).

Substratum preferencesMud
Muddy sand
Sandy mud
Physiographic preferencesOffshore seabed
Biological zoneLower Infralittoral
Upper Circalittoral
Lower Circalittoral
Wave exposureSheltered
Very Sheltered
Extremely Sheltered
Ultra Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flowWeak (<1 kn)
Very Weak (negligible)
SalinityFull (30-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References Fish & Fish, 1996, Ingle, 1997, Sardà, 1995, Foster-Smith, 2000, Bruce et al., 1963, Connor et al., 1997(a), BODC, 1998, CEFAS, 2001, JNCC, 1999, Picton & Costello, 1998, Marine Institute, 2001, NBN, 2002, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data,
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