Lobster in New Brunswick

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Lobster is fished from the North East & South East New Brunswick waters and is a valuable seafood export for Canada.  Here in the Maritimes, the lobster has changed in its significance over the past century or so.

Initially, lobster was a staple for local people and lobsters were so under-appreciated that in lobster season they were used as fertilizer in the fields.

Lobster processing facilities and transportation possibilities opened up the enjoyment and appreciation for lobster at the table locally, across Canada and beyond Canada. Eventually, eating, enjoying and craving lobster became widespread.  Now, each lobster season is much anticipated and celebrated.  The industry has developed from a basic, local food to serious business, with exports and a lively tourist attraction for the fishing regions.

The coastline town of Shediac invite locals and visitors to celebrate the lobster in three spectacular ways: 

The World's Largest Lobster

The Rotary Park at the western entrance to the town of Shediac is home to the world's largest lobster!  Created in 1990 by Winston Bronnum of New Brunswick the 11-metre (36-foot) high lobster sits in perfect detail.  Ninety tonnes of perfectly crafted cast-iron for visitors to clamber over and pose for photographs!

Shediac Lobster Festival

Since, 1949, the annual Shediac Lobster Festival has been celebrated and is now a become world renowned festival that runs for 5 days at the beginning of each July. There is outdoor, family entertainment nightly, featuring magicians, well known local musicians and national and international entertainers.  Cold Lobster Plates - with all the trimmings - are served in the Giant Lobster Trap tent every day during the festival.  There's the Lobster Eating Contest: every night volunteers are chosen from the crowd to eat 3 Lobsters with their bare hands in the least time possible. During the five days the towns organizes lots of family events with a kid's parade and a giant midway at the festival grounds.

Shediac Motorcycle Lobster Rally

Each year in September there is the Shediac Motorcycle Lobster Rally with displays, parties, music, dance, rallies and runs - begun in 2004, this festival just grows and grows.  Most of the festivities occur at Parlee Beach.

The Ultimate Lobster Experience!

Shediac Bay Cruises offers the ultimate range of lobster experiences. During the summer months partake in Lobster Tales the "complete lobster discovery": Haul in real lobster traps, learn about the lobster, the fishery, the proper way to cook, observe a cracking demonstration, and finally, savour a freshly cooked mouth-watering lobster dinner on board (506-532-2175).

Lobsters

Lobsters are large, clawed marine crustaceans (Homaridae) and belong to the Nephropidae family.  Lobster pincers are very large on their first pair of legs (consisting of six segments) and much smaller on the second and third pairs of legs (seven segments).  The last two pairs of legs end in sharp points called dactyls and are used for walking and grooming.  The larger of the two claws is called the crusher claw, and the smaller, flatter, sharper claw is called the pincer claw. The crusher is used to crush the shells of shellfish prey that lobster eats and the pincer cuts up the meat.

Eating lobster for the first time can be a little daunting.  Preparing lobsters and how to cook lobsters are skills that Maritimers have passed down through the generations - just ask the locals to share their knowledge. 

Lobster recipes can be traditional or adventurous... and there are many, many excellent restaurants to dine out on lobster and truly savour this delicious, local delicacy.

About Lobster (home) | Lobster Shops & Fisheries | Select, Cook & Eat Lobster | Dine Out on Lobster | Lobster Seasons