The Effects of Anthropogenic Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) on the Early Development of Two Commercially Important Crustaceans, European Lobster, Homarus gammarus (L.) and Edible Crab, Cancer pagurus (L.)

Proposed offshore windfarm sites could overlap with the brooding and spawning habitats of commercially important crustacea, including European lobster, Homarus gammarus Edible crab, Cancer pagurus. Concerns have been raised on biological effects Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) emitted from subsea power cables early life history these species. In this study, ovigerous female H. C. pagurus were exposed to static (Direct Current, DC) EMFs (2.8 mT) throughout embryonic development. Embryonic larval parameters, deformities, vertical swimming speed freshly hatched stage I lobster zoea crab larvae assessed. EMF did not alter development time, release or for either Chronic exposure 2.8 mT resulted in significant differences stage-specific egg volume exhibiting decreased carapace height, total length, maximum eye diameter. An increased occurrence deformities was observed addition reduced test success rate amongst larvae. These traits may ultimately affect mortality, recruitment dispersal. This study increases our understanding anthropogenic, crustacean developmental biology suggests that emissions a measurable impact consequently population dynamics