8.8.11

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!

15 comments:

mermaid gallery said...

efficient and sanitary..kudos to the lobster industry!...we all love love lobster...i bet your feast was messy and amazing....

David Toms said...

Who knew? THis is what I love about your blog, i never know what I am going to read next.

Silver Strands said...

Wow. Being a lobster-lover (for the food, that is!) I found this really, really interesting!

Karena said...

Ren this post is so interesting, I never knew all of these details!! I love lobster!

xoxo
Karena

Art by Karena

nunu said...

cool tour ren! what a great experience for the monkeys. that lobster is gonna be so good!

A Crimson Kiss said...

This is just fascinating! Hope the lobsters were delicious!

cpcable said...

That looks like quite the operation! I didn't know that lobsters could live to be 30 years old...for some reason that makes me feel a little less comfortable about eating them.

Julia, the Thanksgiving Girl said...

Goodness, I love lobsters! Would kill for one right now. When being reminded of seafood, I always think how I'd love to live closer to the sea even if just because of the easier access to fresh high quality sea creatures. Here in Moscow quality shelled seafood is not easy to find and even then it's quite expensive, so it's more of a treat... And to think that I could live off it! lol Whenever I travel to a seaside destination I almost forget what meat or poultry is!

anyaadores said...

I had no idea that this was how it was done - interesting and good post - loved it :O)
Hope you have a great sunday.
A xxx

Phoenix said...

Lobster is one of my all-time favorite foods. Thanks for the virtual tour around the lobster plant in Canada - had no idea lobsters could even LIVE for 30 years! Wow!

Crystle said...

Well now I'm just embarrassed that I've never tried lobster. It's on the to-do list!

jacqueline said...

Dearest sweet ren, this tour is so interestig!! I love lobsters too! Have a lovely merry happy mid-week and love to you!

Getrealmommy said...

I hate to say it but I am just not into lobster... I really can't deal with the idea of picking out a live one for my dinner, which is silly since I am a total meat eater. Call me a hypocrite!

Cashon&Co said...

did you do this just for fun? that is so cool! i've never seen anything like it, i guess i never thought of them having to get cleaned. poor lil guys. but they still taste good. :)

Vintage is for Lovers said...

Now this is my FAVORITE food of all time! Lobster!!! One time I ate a 5 pounder all by myself. Yes I did! ;) xo Samantha

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