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The Market for Canadian Lobster

“Lobster harvested from the icy, pristine waters of North Atlantic is recognized worldwide as the very best in the marketplace”
-The Buyer’s Guide for Canadian Atlantic Lobster

1997 Canadian Lobster Landings 1997 Processed Lobster Exports

Atlantic Canada is the world’s largest producer of the American lobster.  Annual landings have exceeded 40, 000 tonnes, about half of the world’s supply of large-claw lobster.  With improved technology such as dry-land lobster holding systems, quality controlled processing, improved grading, packaging, and transport as well as strict health and safety regulations Atlantic Canada is leading the world in providing the highest quality of live and frozen lobster. 

1993-97 Canadian Lobster Landings  

Principle buyers in the United States, Europe and Japan can enjoy this region’s lobster year-round.  Large dry-land holding facilities that can keep lobster for great lengths of time ensure that there is no loss of quality or taste. Half of Canada’s harvest reaches customers as a processed product. Lobster meat freezes extremely well, retaining its unique texture and taste, making it great product to market.

1996 Lobster Landings

All plants in Atlantic Canada are regulated using QMP standards.  The Quality Management Program requires that all Canadian fish and shellfish processors have a system which monitor their operations at critical points in handling and processing.  The result: processed lobster products that are of the highest quality in the world.  

1997 Live Lobster Exports

The objective of Atlantic Canada’s lobster fishing industry is to deliver a hard-shell, full-meated lobster to its buyers.  This means staggering the lobster seasons so that lobster is not being harvested when the majority are molting, usually during the summer months.  The 38 lobster fishing areas of Atlantic Canada each have their own season.  A soft-shelled lobster would yield a lot less meat then a hard-shelled lobster, although one might not be able to discover this until after the lobster is cooked.  It is this concern for quality that makes Atlantic Canada’s lobster fishing industry the most profitable in the world.

For more information on live, or processed Canadian Atlantic lobster contact:
Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
7th Floor

Bank of Montreal Building

5151 George Street

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Canada  B3J 3C4

Tel: (902)-424-4560

Fax: (902)-424-4671

Pictures and information from the Buyer’s Guide to Canadian Atlantic Lobster, Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

 

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