V-Notching
A big debate between lobster-men and scientists is the effectiveness of v-notching.
V-notching is a conservation tool to protect female lobsters observed with eggs. Lobster-men who catch an egg-bearing female are required to mark the middle right flipper by cutting a “V” shaped notch into it. Some lobster-men remove this flipper completely to avoid any confusion. The V-notch will usually stay with the lobster for two molts.
The problem that exists is how many fisherman are actually v-notching. While talking to a commercial lobster-man in Machias, Maine I was assured that this worked well. The nameless lobster-man told me that he always marks the egg barring female lobsters with a v-notch and further explained that this is a zero tolerance law. He then went on to say that there are others who just throw the female back without marking it. Hoping that she will release her eggs and then be re-caught without a mark. Therein lies the problem.
This is why scientists and government believe that further regulations need to be established to ensure the sustainability of the lobster stocks. A local researcher in Beals Island, Maine suggested some restricted areas where the lobster would be protected from fishing.
If you see this sign stop. While probably not the best seafood, it is certainly some of the best fried fish on the side of the road. One thing they definitely have is one of the best tartar sauces I have tasted. You’ll have to be driving through New Brunswick to stop here and its just past St. Andrews on route 1. Just so you arrive at the correct place it’s called Ossie’s.
The Down East Institute is a research facility located on Beals Island, Maine. A focus at the Insitute is the susatinabililty of of different types of shellfish and importantly lobster. Lobsters are hatched in the hatchery and raised through the different stages. The thing that separates the Down East Institute is that they are not only hatching and releasing but trying to determine the success rate of this process. The lobsters are being grown to larger size so that they can be tagged and then released. This will allow scientists with the help of local fisherman to determine how successful the project is. Another project they are testing is pounding lobsters; raising them in tidal pounds. This is a simplified version of what goes on for further reading go to http://www.downeastinstitute.org/research.html#lobsters
Maine Lobster
While traveling through Addison Maine on my quest to purchase lobster from a local fisherman; something I have done in the past and common by the locals, I pulled my car along side what appeared to be a local commercial lobsterman. I then asked “I know it’s a little late in the day, do you know where I can purchase lobsters?” The reply “go try the supermarket!” so much for friendly people, I guess I’m an outsider. “Whatever!”
Further conversation ensued. Upon learning of my restaurant in NYC the lobsterman and his wife changed there attitude. ” wow I guess you know about lobster.” ” If i hadn’t alreday sold out today i would’ve gone down to the dock and got you a couple.”
We had a quick discussion about the price of the lobster and an industry in trouble. The small fisherman not being able to make enough money to take out there boats. I was told its just that there are too many traps out there, to many trapping lobster theses days. It will get better because no new licenses are being given out, but that is years away. For now the price remains cheap, the demand low, and too many buoys holding traps in the bays.
