Happy Lobster Day

September 25…National Lobster Day

When possible, PT likes to recognize those special national holidays that no one has actually ever heard of. So, today is National Lobster Day. The holiday is meant to recognize the men and woman in the lobster industry. Furthermore, the timing coincides with the peak harvesting season for lobster fishermen. To prepare for this holiday, I ventured to coastal Maine to learn and do all things lobster. So, let me be the first to wish you Happy Lobster Day.

Basics on Harvesting the Lobster

To learn the basics on lobster harvesting, my wife and I embedded ourselves on the Rugosa lobster boat, originating in Kennebunkport, Maine. Commercial fisherman all have in the neighborhood of 800 traps. Typically, they bait the traps and leave them on the sea floor for 2-3 days.

In order to find the traps, each trap has a line back to a buoy. The buoy colors are assigned to a given lobster boat by a state regulatory agency. Once you bring the trap in with the lobster hauler, you must check the lobster for size. If its too small and it goes back. Furthermore, if its too big it goes back too. The big ones can really crank out the offspring, so they get a reprieve. The keepers then get their claws banded and thrown into the collection tanks.

That was an extremely over simplified version of lobster harvesting. But, it covers the basics.

Lobster Fun Facts

Beyond the harvesting, our lobster hosts imparted plenty of lobster knowledge to us. However, I don’t remember most of it. Here are a few lobster fun facts that actually stuck in my head.

• Despite the winter conditions in Maine, lobster fishing is year round
• The fishermen generally get about $7/pound for their daily haul. When I was dining in a couple lobster shacks, my average meal cost was about $22/pound of lobster. I am sure costs are much higher if you dined at a nice seafood restaurant…which I did not
• But, by far, my favorite fun fact of all…male lobsters have two penises…true statement

Truly Honoring the Lobster

As its National Lobster Day, one final salute to the Lobster is in order. To be consistent with our insensitive, carnivorous nature, there is no higher honor to the the lobster than eating it. My day of honoring the lobster included a lobster lunch at Cape Pier Chowder House in Kennebunkport. Furthermore, to maximize my decadence, the day ended with a splendid lobster bake at the Newagen Inn in Boothbay.

Wrap It Up

So, its not to early to celebrate National Lobster Day. Go get your lobster and plan your Lobster Day festivities accordingly. The lobster is a fine critter that deserves to be honored and eaten. Have a Happy Lobster Day! PT

I hope you have enjoyed “Happy Lobster Day” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.

Here was a past carnivorous post… https://travelingwithpt.com/fine-dining-in-danville/

If you want to join the Rugosa Lobster boat… https://rugosalobstertours.com/

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