N.B. Seafood Restaurant Seeing A Few Larger-Than-life Lobsters This Season
CAP-PELÉ – The catch of the day has been pretty impressive so far this year at Quai Aboiteau Seafood Paradise. They’re seeing a few larger-than-life lobsters this season.
Co-owner Nancy Kitson says the spring lobster has been really good the last couple of years. So far, they’ve been buying from the fishermen from the Bay of Fundy and P.E.I.
“We received one last week that was around 20 pounds,” said Kittson. “Then, we received probably between two and three that were between 15 and 17 pounds. Sometimes you get the smaller ones that are different colours and they are very rare.”
Kitson says the larger lobsters can’t usually fit in the traps, so when the fishermen pull them out of the water, they’re usually hanging off the side.
She says lobsters of this size can be over 50 years old. Some fishermen choose to throw them back because they have already lived so long,
“We sell lobster at the fish market, but we usually don’t sell them more than five pounds. The larger ones, the meat tends to be really tough,” Kitson says.
She adds they will sometimes hold onto a couple of the larger or rare crustaceans.
“If we get more, we will probably keep a few a couple on display for the tourists to see, because it is pretty amazing,” she said.
The local lobster season runs from August to October.
Kitson says the restaurant opened on Mother’s Day weekend this year and they did take-out for a bit. In mid-June, they opened to eat-in dining and it has been going very well.
“We have a lot of support from the local people,” she said. “Even last summer we did really well with the locals, so we’re very grateful. We are expecting a busy summer this year as well, which is very exciting.”
Tara Clow is the news director with 91.9 The Bend in Moncton, a Huddle content partner.