Shocking discovery in Oslofjord: lobsters forced to live in plastic waste
A recent dive off the coast of Nesodden in Oslofjord has revealed a disturbing trend: threatened lobsters are increasingly using plastic waste as shelter instead of natural hiding places. Marine biologist Fredrik Myhre and his diving partner Roger Carson documented the phenomenon, describing it as “indescribably sad.”
According to a report by Dagbladet, the pair encountered six of eight lobsters taking refuge under plastic tarps, inside discarded tires, and even within crumpled plastic bags during their dive near Svestad. The Norwegian lobster, a protected species in over 50 conservation areas along the coast—including Oslofjord—is now facing an additional threat from marine pollution.
“The sight of lobsters using our plastic waste as homes is nothing short of devastating,” Myhre, who leads the ocean team at WWF Norway, told the newspaper. “I feel ashamed seeing these innocent creatures wading through our trash. They don’t know the plastic they hide under is harmful.”
The dive also uncovered a seabed littered with plastic bags, tarps, tractor tires, and old boat batteries. Pacific oysters, an invasive species, had also established themselves among the debris, further disrupting the local ecosystem.
Plastic waste becomes a death trap
For lobsters, plastic pollution poses more than just an aesthetic problem—it is a direct threat to their survival. Myhre explained that the animals often become entangled in discarded fishing lines, which act as “death traps,” slowly restricting their movement until they starve.
“They wrap themselves in plastic and lose their ability to move. It’s a slow, painful death by starvation,” he said.
The issue extends beyond lobsters. Microplastics spread through the food chain, affecting organisms from plankton to whales. Many marine animals mistake plastic for food, which then blocks their digestive systems, leading to malnutrition and death.
Oslofjord struggles despite conservation efforts
Oslofjord has long faced environmental challenges, including eutrophication from agriculture and sewage, overfishing, and pollution. While three no-fishing zones were introduced in January to protect vulnerable species, Myhre argues that political will to restore the fjord remains insufficient.
“The paradox is that everyone knows how bad the situation is, yet far too little is being done to revive life in the fjord,” he said.
Previous studies have shown that conservation measures, such as lobster tagging, are effective when respected. Thrond Oddvar Haugen, a professor at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, noted last December that illegal fishing in protected areas had declined due to public vigilance.
Myhre emphasized that plastic pollution in Norwegian waters is part of a global crisis. “Plastic waste is one of the world’s fastest-growing environmental problems, and our coastal areas are not spared,” he said.