Lobster

 Clearwater is the largest lobster harvesting and storage plant in Canada.  It is also the inventor and operator of the worlds only ‘Dryland Pound Storage System’. Clearwater prides itself on harvesting the best lobsters from the waters of the Canadian North Atlantic. 

Generally lobsters are at their plumpest - the ‘meat’ fills the whole shell- during the months of January through July.  By storing them in ice cold water and slowing down their metabolisms- Clearwater is able to supply their consumers with prime lobster all year round.  

 

 Using a computer and laser system to accurately measure the weight of each lobster as they make their way down a conveyor belt they are also checked for any damage as well blood protein levels.  By determining how high the blood levels are biologist are able to establish the longest time they can be stored without loosing their ‘meatiness’.  

The innovative storage system is designed to create a minimum stress environment for the lobsters and allows them to be stored when their blood proteins are at the highest. 

Gerald gave us a tour of the Clearwater in Arichat, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada

This lobster is approximately 30 years old and weights about six pounds

Compartments which mimic a lobster’s natural habitat pump over five million liters of sea water through the ‘lobster hotels’ every hour- thus enabling Clearwater lobsters to maintain their health and weight.  Clearwater ships all over the world with a large consumer base in China and Japan as well as North America. 

This is a female with eggs


Clearwater does not accept small (baby) lobsters, damaged/ harmed lobsters or female lobsters with eggs.  Females keep their eggs attached to their hair like hairs under their bellies.  In the uncommon scenario that a female with eggs is brought in such as this one they are stored in a separate holding area and released.  

This is the batch we got

 We were lucky enough to take our lobster 'home' and cook it a few hours later- Delicious! 

Greeting from Cape Breton!