15 Facts about Maine Lobster | Geddy's Bar Harbor

The Best Lobster in the World comes from Maine.

Visiting Bar Harbor? Never tried lobster? Maine lobster should always be fresh, not frozen. Restaurants serving fresh lobster often display live lobster tanks, allowing customers to pick their own. Traditionally, lobster is eaten steamed with drawn butter or served on a New England roll with butter or mayonnaise.

Want to learn more about Maine Lobster?

What is the largest lobster fishery?
Maine is the largest and the oldest lobster fishery in the world. Lobsters thrive in its cold, shallow rocky waters. More than 130 million pounds of lobsters are harvested each year. The industry is estimated to contribute $1 billion to the state’s economy.
What is the legal size of a lobster that can be caught?
A legal sized lobster is between 3 ¼ – 5 inches in length (measured from the rear of the eye socket to the end of the carapace or body).
Are lobsters seasonal?
In Maine, lobsters are harvested year-round. The majority are caught between late June and late December, when lobsters are most active. Lobster prices reflect supply and demand. Typically, prices are less expensive when lobsters are more plentiful.
How are lobsters caught?
Most lobsters are caught using lobster traps or pots. These rectangular cages have a buoy attached, which floats on top of the water. The buoy enables the fisherman to quickly identify and to mark the location of their pots. However, only 10% of lobsters actually enter lobster traps and only 6% are caught.
Why are there “hard” and “soft” shell lobsters?
Lobsters molt or shed their outgrown hard shells, primarily between July and November, and form new shells. These bright orange shells are typically called “new shells,” which are soft-shells. Their meat is prized for its distinctly sweet flavor and tender texture.
How much lobster meat can you expect from a 1 lb. lobster?
Typically, a 1 lb. lobster yields approximately 3 ¼ ounces of meat. However, the yield can vary significantly between hard shell and soft shell with soft shells yielding much less meat.
How do you know the age of a lobster?
The age of a lobster is often estimated by its weight. A 1 – 1 ¼ lb. lobster is approximately seven years old.
What do you call male and female lobsters?
A male lobster is referred to as a “cock,” and a female is called a “hen” or a “chicken,” when it weighs one pound.
Why do Lobsters have two different sized claws?
The larger lobster claw is called the “crusher” and can deliver up to 100 pounds of pressure. The smaller one is referred to as a “pincher” or a “shedder.” It is often used for holding prey. Just like humans, lobsters can be right-handed or left-handed. A one-clawed lobster is called a “cull.” A lobster with no claws is called a “pistol.”
Are lobsters the same color?
Typically, lobsters are a dark greenish-brown color before cooking. However, lobsters can be found in other colors too – cobalt blue, yellow, red, two-toned bright orange and brown, and albino. These lobsters are rare and are not consumed by humans. The unusual colors are caused by a genetic mutation.
What is the size of the largest lobster ever caught?
The largest lobster ever caught was in Nova Scotia in 1977. It weighed 44 pounds and was approximately 100 years old. The largest lobster ever caught in Maine weighed 27 pounds. It was found in 2012 and was nicknamed “Rocky” because of its huge boxer-like crusher claw.
Why do lobsters turn red when cooking?
Lobsters have a pigment called astaxanthin in their shells, which absorbs blue light during heat – making their shells red in color.
Is lobster meat healthy for you?
Yes. Lobster meat has essential key nutrients. It has less than 1 gram of fat and almost 19 grams of protein.
What is the “green stuff found inside the lobster?
The green stuff is “tomalley.” It is the liver and the pancreas of the lobster. It is considered by lobster lovers to be a real delicacy.
Is there a National Lobster Day?
Yes. National Lobster Day is September 25^th.