soft shell lobster....are they a good thing??

[a kennedy]

Haven't heard about it here being offered on our menus.....but it sounds like it's the best thing since sliced bread....no hard shells to crack. Don't think it's a good thing, sounds like the lobster's are very vulnerable at this stage and easy to catch....... anyone else???

[bluedigger]

1. They're cheap this year!

And they "catch" just like hard shells. It's just a stage they go through every year.

"Typically, Independence Day also is when Maine's lobster catch begins picking up as lobsters begin shedding their hard shells in favor of new soft shells. Soft-shell lobsters have less meat than hard-shell ones, but they are easier to crack open — it can be done by hand, no claw cracker needed — and sell for a lower price.

This year, though, soft-shell lobsters began showing up in abundance in fishermen's traps weeks earlier than normal.

Most of those lobsters usually go to Canadian processors. But the processors haven't been able to handle the Maine catch because Canadian lobstermen had such strong catches during their spring season, resulting in a backlog, said Neal Workman, head of The Fisheries Exchange, a Biddeford company that tracks prices, catches and other market information for the lobster industry.

Supply right now far exceeds demand, resulting in a "perfect storm" for the industry, he said."

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/approved/0001/11/30/forget-hot-dogs-glut-means-cheap-lobster-prices/1218011#.T_JPoEnoGjQ.facebook

Get you some!

[Maine-ah]

5. the lobstermen around here

are stopping their catches for a week, and the co-op has shut down for a week as well. Prices are too low, and it's costing them money to catch. Give it a week or two, and the prices will be back up again.

[HopeHoops]

2. I've eaten soft-shell crabs. I don't see any reason why lobster would be much different.

[dr.strangelove]

3. They are amazing

Price is great this year. I got five "2 pounders" for $30 on the 4th of july. thats $3 a pound. I've never seen them this cheap. They tasted amazing.

[RebelOne]

4. Any lobster is a good thing. n/t

[GoCubsGo]

6. I don't know if they are any easier to catch in this stage.

I suppose that if they consider the lobster pot to be a good shelter, then maybe so. They are certainly more vulnerable, as their carapace protects them from many predators. They usually seek some sort of shelter until they harden up. That being said, lobsters are usually caught in traps. And, there are limits to the size and number that can be trapped. Whether or not they are soft-shelled when caught probably won't make any difference regarding their populations, if that is what you are wondering.