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Lobster Training. Revised 05/2009. Harvest Methods. Lobster Trap. Typical Main Lobster Boat. Harvesting lobster in Maine. How a trap works. Lobster Definitions. American Lobster / North American Lobster Cold water lobster from the north Atlantic (Maine/Canada)
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Lobster Training Revised 05/2009
Harvest Methods Lobster Trap Typical Main Lobster Boat Harvesting lobster in Maine How a trap works
Lobster Definitions • American Lobster / North American Lobster • Cold water lobster from the north Atlantic (Maine/Canada) • Species is Homarus americanus • Live Lobster • North American lobsters (H. americanus) that are transported live and cooked whole • Rock Lobster / Spiny Lobster • Wide variety of warm water lobsters from the Equatorial regions of the globe; usually only in tail form • Most famous regions: Brazil, Bahamas, Nicaragua, Honduras, South Africa, Australia • Also available from: Mexico, Ecuador, Oman, Madagascar, Cuba
Chemical AbuseSodium Tri-Poly Phosphate Evidence of tri-poly abuse. Notice how the meat still looks raw after cooking. • Sodium Tri-Poly Phosphate (STP) is used to retain moisture in a variety of seafood products • Although legal for use, the over-use of the chemical causes product to become rubbery and remain translucent when cooked • Can impart a metallic flavor
Lobster Pack Styles • Dry • Glazed • Individual Poly Wrapped (IPW) Dry N. A. Tail Dry WW Tail (IPW)
Lobster SpeciesBahamas #2 (P. argus • Bahamas #2 Tail • Notice: • Black belly • Yellow meat • Shell defects
Lobster SpeciesBrazil Species • Brazil has 2 species that are fished • P. argus • P. laevicuda • These are not interchangeable but may end up in the same box as a method of reducing price • P. argus is the more desirable and higher priced species P. argus P. laevicuda
Lobster SpeciesCosta Rica P. argus
Lobster SpeciesEcuador Red Shell P. pencillatus
Lobster SpeciesMexico P. argus
Lobster SpeciesMexico Red Shell P. interruptes
Lobster SpeciesMexico Species P. argus P. Interruptes Red Shell
Lobster SpeciesNicaragua Species P. argus
Lobster SpeciesOman Species P. homarus
Lobster SpeciesPacific Species P. gracilis
Lobster Sizing • Tails • Stated net ounces; 4-5 = 4 to 5 ounces each • Glaze should be removed before weighing • Live / Whole • Stated net weight • Usually in ½ pound increments
Lobster Evaluation • Check net weight • Confirm species • Confirm counts against actual weight, not stated weight • Confirm ingredients and labeling
What Makes Lobster Cheaper? • Non-equivalence • Seller long on inventory • Seller needs cash • “Loss leader” or “buying the business” • Illegal Harvesting • Taking “egged Females” • Taking undersized Lobster
Lobster TricksI can buy my lobster cheaper from someone else . . . • Species substitution / mixing • Incorrect counts • Heavy glaze • Mislabeled size • Short weight • Excessive bi-sulfites or STP • Excessive defects-broken shell, missing flippers, blackbelly, etc. • Decomposition, age, off flavors, etc.
If it isn’t , it has to go! Revised 05/2009