The Tristan lobster is a very distinctive crustacean , differing from other commercially available lobsters in shape, quality , and species; it is scientifically called Jas us tristani and belongs to the Palinuridae family . Its appearance and color make the lobster very similar to another crustacean, the crayfish, but they are fundamentally different in taste and shape. What distinguishes them is their anterior portion, where the crayfish has large claws, while the crayfish has long antennae .

The Tristan Lobster: What's so special about it?

The Tristan lobster is a unique product among lobsters existing in nature : it is found only in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago, which is one of the most isolated in the world and is located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the coast of Africa; it is called Tristan rock lobster by the locals , which translates as “ rock lobster ”, because its natural habitat is precisely the surface rock of these islands and not the seabed: therefore, this lobster remains on the rock, but in contact with the cold ocean currents, which makes its meat special from a sensorial point of view.

But is it really a unique species?

This rock lobster appears not to be the only type of this species, according to recent studies: some biologists and geneticists at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa maintain that it is the twin of another lobster, namely the Jasus paulensis , or Saint Paul rock lobster. These two crustaceans in fact share the same genetic makeup, a very similar phenotype and even the same habitat, which makes them effectively related . The "Paulensis" lobster is fished in the southernmost area of ​​the Indian Ocean, right where the island of Saint Paul is located.

What is the difference between the lobster of the genus Jasus and other species?

Lobsters of the genus Jasus are much rarer and of a lower quality than the common lobster, also known as the Mediterranean lobster. First of all, these two crustaceans differ in genus and species, which is why the common lobster is called Palinurus vulgaris or Palinurus elephas . Furthermore, the latter is widespread in the Mediterranean Sea – and partly also in the Atlantic Ocean – and lives in a different ecological niche than the rock lobster: in fact, it is possible to find this Mediterranean species inhabit rocky, shallow coral seabeds , far from colder waters. This also affects the quality of their meat , which is less firm than the Tristan lobster.

Come and find out more about the online fish market

The story of Jasus tristani

Jasus tristani has been fished for centuries on the volcanic island of Tristan da Cunha, the namesake of the entire archipelago. A colony of the British Empire since 1816, bartering is still used as a method of exchange, an ancient island tradition . Therefore, the locals use natural products of all kinds, including this type of catch, to implement an internal economic model on the island . Thus, lobster fishing and trade is one of the few sources of sustenance and income for the inhabitants of this remote Atlantic island, both through bartering and for sales abroad .

And what about trade with the rest of the world?

From 1950 onwards, the British and South Africans founded several companies to exploit the economic potential of rock lobster. Two of the most important are the South Atlantic Islands Development Corporation and Ovenstone Agencies . The latter still holds the rights to fish and process the product, despite the fact that its plant was destroyed twice in the last 70 years: first by the 1961 volcanic eruption, which also caused extensive damage to the rest of the island, and then by a devastating fire in February 2008. However, it was subsequently rebuilt and still operates today, fishing and processing this crustacean.

Interesting facts about the Tristan archipelago

The world-famous island of Saint Helena, famous for hosting Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile, is just a few nautical miles from the Tristan da Cunha archipelago and is also a British overseas territory. Furthermore, the island is renowned among coin and stamp collectors worldwide: it is, in fact, one of their main sources of income; in fact, the most famous and rare stamp is the one depicting the Queen of England with a miniature rock lobster.

Buy Tristan lobster at the Conkilia fish market

Lobster fishing

This lobster has been fished for centuries by the island's natives and continues to be caught today, in a completely sustainable and certified manner , by the companies that handle its production and trade abroad . This model keeps an ancient tradition alive and offers the local population important recognition from outside the island . In this way, the island's ecosystem is respected and remains uncontaminated by human agents and transformations.

When does lobster fishing take place in Tristan?

Fishing for Jasus tristani is a surface fishery because, as mentioned, it is an animal found primarily on rocks and not in water. There is a suitable fishing season, lasting three months, from July to September ; however, the unfavorable weather conditions that often affect the island can reduce the number of days available for catching the crustacean.

How is lobster caught on the island?

Rock lobster is fished on the island using a very specific method, although the natives originally caught them by hand . Since the industrialization of its fishing, which took place over the past 70 years, large boats of about 10 meters have been used. There are usually two teams of 18 fishermen using nine motorboats, working on alternate days when the weather permits. Each boat therefore carries two fishermen who drop baited traps onto the seabed using floating buoys, but who also collect any crustaceans that may be found from the rocks . After the catch , of the raw material, we move and process the product in a processing plant on the island .

Lobster Uses and Gastronomic Recipes

The meat of this crustacean is firm and delicate , suitable for delicious, lean preparations: in fact, this type of lobster is considered by many to be one of the best products in the world , excellent eaten raw or cooked and superior to the classic lobster. Furthermore, it is a highly nutritional food, being high in protein, low in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals.

Japanese recipes

The lobster of rock  is one of the most loved products from the Japanese, which have their own lighter variant of the Tristan lobster, but with the same sensory and qualitative characteristics . Below is a list of Japanese recipes with which to transform this product:

- Is ebi no sashimi : The first recipe that is mentioned comes from the land of the Rising Sun and is called rock lobster sashimi:  It is a raw lobster , usually presented on a boat, excellent to enjoy with soy sauce .

- Ise ebi no j igoku mushi : A very important recipe in Japanese culture: literally meaning "hell steaming ," it involves steaming dishes in thermal water. It's also used for lobster, which is served with a sweet and sour, umami sauce to enhance its flavor.

- Ise ebi no suimono : This is a soup made with this rock crustacean, a clear, strained dashi broth containing soy sauce, shitake mushrooms, and Japanese seaweed that flavor the lobster.

- Ise ebi no tempura : This is a light fried dish made with 00 flour batter and iced sparkling water, which gives it a special crunch . Tristan's lobster tail is excellent prepared in tempura.

Come and discover our raw products for sushi and sashimi!

Italian recipes

This crustacean also lends itself very well to other Mediterranean dishes. Here's a list of recipes to use with this crustacean:

- Lobster carpaccio : the Italian version of sashimi , cut differently and arranged differently on the plate. It's served without soy sauce, but with extra virgin olive oil.

- Lobster sauce : this product can be used to create a sauce, which can be red with tomato or white, more delicate; it is suitable for seasoning first courses .

- Cooking stock : this sauce is made by reusing the liquids from cooking the lobster in oil and/or butter: after removing the crustacean, water and starch are added to thicken the liquid over low heat for a few hours, until it creates a thick sauce that can be used to season other fish-based dishes .

- Grilled lobster : finally, lobster can be grilled : it is a complex process, as it must not be in contact with the fire for too long, as it requires light cooking and smoking and must not lose its beneficial substances.

Purchase this product, in various sizes, at www.conkilia.it

Conkilia allows chefs and restaurateurs to conveniently purchase this crustacean from home based on the buyer's needs.

You can buy Tristan lobster on the platform in two sizes and formats:

-  a whole, raw , frozen Tristan lobster ( 270 -305 g )
-  a whole, raw, frozen Tristan lobster ( 305-350g )

If you want to find out more about the Conkilia platform  Register for free and if you don't find what you need or need support, contact us via WhatsApp on080 442 6081 .