From 1987 through 2003, maines lobster catches increased from some 20 million pounds to 90 million pounds. Mar 18, 2020 as spring is just around the corner so is the start of the maine lobster boat racing season. Maine lobster season, about lobster season in maine. As the temperatures climb after winters chill, lobsters move closer to the shore and into warmer waters. Current 20192020 recreational lobster fishing information. While lobster can be harvested year round off maines coast, harsh weather and migration farther off shore make the winter months of late december through march difficultlimiting the supply and increasing the price.
Slower lobster season in maine means high prices, worried. As spring is just around the corner so is the start of the maine lobster boat racing season. Maine seafood guide crab maine sea grant university of. I am wondering if there is a season when the lobster is the best. Its the best time of year to go to maine and eat lobster new york. Meanwhile, lobstermen push back against potential noaa. Live lobster for sale online lobsters shipped free from maine. For more videos, subscribe to zagats video channel here.
Maine s harvest of lobsters was about 40% off last years pace through september, and while october and november tend to be months of heavy lobster catch, wholesale prices have soared amid the slower supply. While lobster can be caught all year long in maine, there is a peak season when maine lobster is most abundant and has the best flavor this season is from midsummer to midfall, when lobsters have freshly shed their shells. In canada the lobster season typically peaks twice a year, once in the spring apriljune and another in december. A drop in the catch of lobsters off maine has customers paying more and fishermen concerned about the future. Maine is home to numerous lobster cooperatives and dealers who sell direct to consumers or to retail markets.
Available year round from a sustainable fishery and locally caught by independent lobstermen. Nov 07, 2019 a drop in the catch of lobsters off maine has customers paying more and fishermen concerned about the future. If you want the freshest, besttasting maine lobster and seafoodyouve found it here. Yearround, with the majority caught between june december. The season so far is similar to the lobster hauls veteran fishermen saw in the 1980s and 90s, when the boom in catch typically came later, said steve train, a lobsterman based in long island. While summer is the time to enjoy eating lobster rolls by lighthouses and fresh from the worlds biggest lobster pot at the maine lobster festival, theres nothing better than cozying up to the fire with a big bowl of lobster mac n cheese. For example, the spiny lobster season runs from august 1 through march 31 in the bahamas, and from august 6 though march 31 in florida.
Portland, maine ap its been a slow lobster season so far in maine, but the lack of crustaceans isnt translating into high prices for consumers, and fishermen are still hopeful for a. When its lobster season in maine, lobsterlovers all over the country rejoice. Many harvesters trap crabs to supplement their income from lobster and other fisheries. Lobstering is done yearround off the coast of maine by the 6000 plus lobstermen mostly working out of small coastal communities. Does someone know when is lobster season and when is the best time to visit this part of the u. Maine typically accounts for about 80% of the nationwide lobster haul. Canadian provinces have been split into 41 individual lobster fishing areas lfas. Adult lobsters molt in the summer months, so soft shell lobsters sometimes called shedders or shedder. As members of a true new england seafood destination, we at weathervane seafood restaurants know what our guests like to eat. Maine lobster festivals and coastal events 2020 dates. Maines harvest of lobsters was about 40% off last years pace through september, and while october and november tend to be months of heavy lobster catch, wholesale prices have soared amid the slower supply.
We ship the worlds best lobster, direct to your home from rockport, maine. Lobsters are also caught in the winter and early spring, but in smaller numbers. Lobsters are harvested yearround, mostly in maine and new hampshire. Each area is subject to its own season, ranging from eight weeks to eight months in length.
The secret ingredient that makes maine lobster so delicious is being threatened. We specialize in live maine lobster and frozen lobster tail delivery. Lobster prices high, but dropping as summer approaches fox. Lobster fishing in summer the maine lobster season shedding season by midto late july the gulf of maine begins to warm up significantly which triggers the seasonal molt.
In summer, mature lobsters shed their hard shells for a new shell that is significantly largerand softer. In very warm climates, lobster season often occurs in fall and winter, when the water is cooler. From fishing for cod back in the 1800s to new species such as urchins and sea cucumbers, many generations of mainers have derived their income from the sea. Sep 03, 2015 join zagat editor molly moker as she searches for the best lobster roll that maine has to offer. Heres the inside story from an interview with a york, maine lobsterman whos experienced nearly 40 lobster seasons in maine. Lobster from maine maine lobster marketing collaborative. Maines lobster season is off to a slow start as the industry faces a bait shortage. Maine lobster is the sweetest, most flavorful lobster on earth. In general, the best lobsters can be caught before memorial day or after labor day than at any time in between. Its new shell season the period between july and the holidays when lobsters that have outgrown their shells move up to the next size. In cooler climates, lobsters are more populous during summer months. No one who comes to maine must go without lobster, regardless of the season. I plan to visit maineboston and nearby vicinity to enjoy lobster. Although you can enjoy lobster throughout the year, it can be even more of a treat when prices are at their lowest and shells are easy to crack open.
However, the majority are caught between late june and late december when the lobsters are the most active. Its the best time of year to go to maine, which just happens to coincide with when the lobster here is the tastiest. Ask for a bucket but call them steamers, and soak up the oldschool waterfront vibe at this dive right at the base of portlands cobblestonestreet historic district. The maine lobster festival is held each august, and is a 2hour drive away from dockside guest quarters in york, maine. These softshell lobsters crack easier, and their flavor becomes even sweeter and more succulent. And when you stay in one of our accommodations, youll never be too far away from the best things about maine lobster season. Theres no denying that summer in maine is pretty idyllic. Jun, 2016 bringing a load home in the winter, fishing out of bucks harbor on the hammer down. Slow lobster season so far in maine, but price is steady.
Maines lobster season has slow start as industry faces challenges. Maines lobster season has slow start as industry faces. Lobsteranywhere is your trusted source for the best maine lobster delivery to your front door, overnight, guaranteed. However, the main fishing season runs between late june and late december when the lobsters are active. Ticket and cooking contest information, schedule of events, parade and 10k race signup. For years here, as maines lobster harvests increased, a vital element of faith among lobstermen was that the harder you fishedthe more often you hauled your trapsthe more lobsters you caught and the more money you could make. At catch a piece of maine, subscribers can adopt a lobster pot and receive the traps harvest all year long. The maine lobster festival the maine lobster festival, held in rockland, is the biggest and most famous maine lobster fest. Late spring is a bit better, with lobster season starting to kick off. Its been a slow lobster season so far in maine, but the lack of crustaceans isnt translating into high prices for consumers, and fishermen are still hopeful for a bump in catch this summer. Here are the lobster seasons for some of the biggest lobsterproducing states. A lobsterman returns an undersized lobster while fishing in mount desert.
Jul 28, 2019 its been a slow lobster season so far in maine, but the lack of crustaceans isnt translating into high prices for consumers, and fishermen are still hopeful for a bump in catch this summer. Order online 247 and enjoy fresh lobster straight from maine the next evening. I am planning a trip to the area to eat my first lobster roll. As the lobsters shed the confines of their old shell, they grow in size. However, the majority are caught between late june and late december when. There is no special maine lobster season for the hardshell lobsters that are more commonly shipped out of state, since lobstering is done yearround in the waters off maine. In general, the best lobsters can be caught before memorial day or. Its been part of the coastal region for generations and is sustainably harvested. Lobster processors in maine, who produce fresh and frozen lobster products, include the following.
And when you stay in one of our accommodations, youll never be too far. Its new shell season the period between july and the holidays when lobsters. Unlike the cold water lobsters from maine, warm water lobsters from places like the caribbean do have a fishing season, which varies by region. Summer in maine is the time for soft shell lobsters. Its a perfect day trip for the biggest fans of our most famous crustaceans. Lobsters are harvested yearround in maine and new hampshire.
Its the best time of year to go to maine and eat lobster. One february day, bob donnell and i sat in his kitchen and talked about the maine lobster season as he lives it. The search for maines best lobster roll food tripping with. There are two florida lobster seasons, the 2 day mini season and the 8 month regular lobster season. As of april 1st, 2019, all lobster shipping orders should be placed directly with seaview lobster company. There are two florida lobster seasons, the 2 day mini season and the 8. The average temperature in july and august hovers around 70 degrees, which is pretty much perfect weather for a lobster bake on the beach. I am flexible with my schedule but was hoping late septemberearly october is a good time. The recreational lobster fishing season starts at 6. While a lobster bake is not a central part of friendship day, lobster rolls and cooked lobster are sold at various. Ship fresh seafood weathervane seafood restaurants. The california spiny lobster panulirus interruptus takes a particularly special place within this group as a highly soughtafter target of both californias recreational and commercial fisheries. The last day of the season is march 18, 2020 at 12.
The besttasting lobster comes from maineits the icy and deep atlantic waters that make the meat sweeter than any other lobster in the world. Lobster fishing is most active in the gulf of maine, bay of fundy, southern gulf of st. Lobster season off to a slow start in maine cbs boston. You can taste the difference in our live maine lobsters. Marine resources have always been a traditional part of maines culture.
While the stalwart fisherman of maine can be found lobstering pretty much year round, peak maine lobster season is between late june and late december. Every year since down east magazine has had this best list. As with many summertime festivals along the coast of maine, it features a pancake breakfast, parade, fireworks over the harbor and a chance to enjoy the fruits of the maine lobster season locally caught, new shell lobster. Aug 25, 2017 its the best time of year to go to maine, which just happens to coincide with when the lobster here is the tastiest. After you taste lobster from maine lobster now, youll never trust another company. There are actually several types of lobsters that can be caught off the coast of maine. By far, the most popular of our delicious and hearty meals featured on our extensive menus has to be the lobster and.
Maine lobster festivals and coastal events 2020 dates and. But dont worry, you can get fresh lobster yearround. Like weathervane, seaview is a local, familyowned operation in kittery, me, and they have been providing our restaurants with the freshest live maine lobster for over 15 years. But if youve never spent a weekend in vacationland in the fall or winter, here are nine reasons you need to add it to your bucket list right now. Maine seafood guide lobster maine sea grant university of. Maine seafood guide lobster maine sea grant university. Official web site of the maine lobster festival, held each august in rockland, maine. The live lobsters we offer for sale online were caught in the atlantic, and they are not raised with antibiotics or hormones. By far, the most popular of our delicious and hearty meals featured on our extensive menus has to be the lobster and luckily, its always lobster season in our restaurants.
Like every year, we held a brief meeting at the maine fishermans forum at the samoset resort in rockport on 7 march. Much of the summer and fall catch is processed or placed in enclosed pounds located in many of maines bays. And yes, it had to be february, cause at any other time in the season. Join zagat editor molly moker as she searches for the best lobster roll that maine has to offer. Jan 25, 2018 as members of a true new england seafood destination, we at weathervane seafood restaurants know what our guests like to eat. Jan 18, 2020 as with many summertime festivals along the coast of maine, it features a pancake breakfast, parade, fireworks over the harbor and a chance to enjoy the fruits of the maine lobster season locally caught, new shell lobster. Enjoy maine lobster season dockside guest quarters. Jonah and rock crabs can be harvested yearround from maine waters, although fall is peak season when the crabs are full of meat. Lobster prices usually rise at the start of memorial day and drop as the season ends with labor day weekend. I plan to visit maine boston and nearby vicinity to enjoy lobster. Every july the coastal areas of florida are flooded with lobster hunters trying to get their share of this years bounty when the offical mini lobster season kicks off. Bringing a load home in the winter, fishing out of bucks harbor on the hammer down. It stretches over five days and serves over 20,000 pounds of lobsters to seafood fanatics each year. Jul 29, 2019 portland, maine ap its been a slow lobster season so far in maine, but the lack of crustaceans isnt translating into high prices for consumers, and fishermen are still hopeful for a.
687 142 246 1341 1250 1399 714 749 931 1351 232 215 1125 977 993 957 253 594 306 171 934 786 845 458 1544 642 1154 83 115 1535 1444 1571 259 235 1116 1415 1458 1461 198 1210 104 601 1394 1006 402