If you like lobster, take some time to read this

[COOL MAN]

http://qz.com/506376/lobsters-2/

IMO, this is an absolutely fascinating review of the explosion in the lobster business and why its occurred over the past 20 years It's a fairly-lengthy piece, so recognize ahead of time it's not your typical couple-minute read. But I myself found it to be both informative and quite entertaining; surprising because I myself am not a common consumer of the species (and therefore have comparatively little personal interest in the subject matter).

It seems to have been written generally as an analysis piece with few (if any) universally-accepted answers to many of the current questions about the subject. And while there definitely are references to the belief that increasing water temperatures have impacted the species....which some of you will presumably dismiss immediately as politically-biased statements (because that's what those of you do for fun).....I myself found the piece to be remarkably-balanced between scientific, industry, and simple best-guess theories from most angles.

 

[MOUNTIE IN MD]

Our family's vacation this past summer was to Maine...beautiful area!

None of us really liked the lobster but we found a lobster roll spot that was pretty awesome, along with local fish.

I prefer the MD Blue Crabs myself but I've found that the best tasting ones have to be imported...mainly from Louisiana, due to pollution issues in the Chesapeake Bay.

I'm not into the Global Warming deal so much, but there is zero doubt that pollution is a huge issue over here on the East Coast.

 

[COOL MAN]

None of us really liked the lobster but we found a lobster roll spot that was pretty awesome, along with local fish.

It wasn't, by chance, Red's Eats in Wiscasset ?? That's become one of the most famous joints of its type in the State; my wife visited a friend in Maine a couple years back, and they had a chance to visit Red's (I myself was there only once, and regrettably during winter while the place was seasonally closed).

She enjoyed their lobster roll a great deal, but was surprised by the high price (which I think she said exceeded $20). But I want to say they claim their typical roll includes upwards of a pound of lobster, so maybe that's (comparatively-speaking) a reasonable price. I'm also told the place is positively a zoo during tourist season.

 

[MOUNTIE IN MD]

No, little tiny shop in Boothbay Harbor. It was the only place that didn't lather their roll in mayo. Small, pricey but delicious.

I did see that spot though, very long line when we drove by.

 

[COOL MAN]

No, little tiny shop in Boothbay Harbor. It was the only place that didn't lather their roll in mayo. Small, pricey but delicious.

I did see that spot though, very long line when we drove by.

My wife commented specifically that was one of the reasons she liked Red's; she doesn't like any kind of condiment smothered on anything (unless the condiment is wine).

 

[torontoeers]

Really interesting....

When in New Brunswick a few years ago we toured a few of the lobster boats and holding facilities in a small town called Alma on the Bay of Fundy...in chatting with one of the lobster boat captains , he debunked a few 'myths' I guess I had created in my own mind. I asked him if times were tough of late in the lobster biz...his eyebrows raised with a chuckle and he said 'nah mate! These things are like the cockroaches of the ocean! It would be next to impossible for us to over fish them, they are literally crawling on top of one another!'...he also mentioned that acquiring a lobster licence is not an easy task as the overwhelming majority are passed down within the family, and if you're 'lucky' enough to get one they cost upwards of 1 million dollars now? That certainly raised my eyebrows for a second!
Another thought that may be somewhat related or a result of the warming...we were in Cape Cod 2 years ago and went to the town of Chatham , which is now known as the east coast home of the Great White. The seal population has exploded over the last decade on the park islands near there which gives plenty of food, but I wonder if the water temps also have a great deal to do with their resurgence in the area? Typically the waters around Cape Cod were a bit cold for their liking, but now it sounds like it would be close to the temps of Northern California or South Africa in summertime. ..
Myself...I love lobster, although I prefer the Caribbean (clawless) variety slightly over the east coast species...just a bit sweeter tasting and tails done topped with peppers, cilantro, and lime? YUM! [thumbsup]

 

[COOL MAN]

Really interesting....

When in New Brunswick a few years ago we toured a few of the lobster boats and holding facilities in a small town called Alma on the Bay of Fundy...in chatting with one of the lobster boat captains , he debunked a few 'myths' I guess I had created in my own mind. I asked him if times were tough of late in the lobster biz...his eyebrows raised with a chuckle and he said 'nah mate! These things are like the cockroaches of the ocean! It would be next to impossible for us to over fish them, they are literally crawling on top of one another!'...he also mentioned that acquiring a lobster licence is not an easy task as the overwhelming majority are passed down within the family, and if you're 'lucky' enough to get one they cost upwards of 1 million dollars now? That certainly raised my eyebrows for a second!
Another thought that may be somewhat related or a result of the warming...we were in Cape Cod 2 years ago and went to the town of Chatham , which is now known as the east coast home of the Great White. The seal population has exploded over the last decade on the park islands near there which gives plenty of food, but I wonder if the water temps also have a great deal to do with their resurgence in the area? Typically the waters around Cape Cod were a bit cold for their liking, but now it sounds like it would be close to the temps of Northern California or South Africa in summertime. ..
Myself...I love lobster, although I prefer the Caribbean (clawless) variety slightly over the east coast species...just a bit sweeter tasting and tails done topped with peppers, cilantro, and lime? YUM! [thumbsup]

I guess I figured the only Canadians who actually liked lobster lived east of Quebecois