Friday, March 8, 2013
Harbor Fish Market
Exploring Lobster Reflection
This picture features a bi-colored lobster that our group saw when visiting a Wet Lab at the Department of Marine Research in Booth Bay, Maine. These types of lobsters are rare, as they have a pigment mutation, which causes their shell to appear divided in color. Each lobster shell contains pigments of blue, yellow, and red. However, when cooked, the lobster turns red because that is the only pigment that remains stable in heat. Thus, although the lobster appears bi-colored now, even blue lobsters will turn bright red when cooked, suppressing the other pigments. The visit to the Wet Lab was very memorable because we had the ability to interact with the different sea animals and observe them very closely. It is not often that one would have the opportunity of such a hands on experience with creatures that are under observation. Overall, this day was not only a day of learning, but a day of great memories as well!
This picture is from the fish market that we visited when we traveled to Portland, Maine. This market features many types of seafood including shellfish such as lobster and crab, and other fish like tuna and salmon. Although it smelled really awful, it was very interesting to see how popular the market was and how many people were in and out of the market in such a short amount of time. The market also offered different recipes for the seafood, as well as recommendations of what spices work best with each fish. Overall, the fish market was very interesting because it showed how important the fishing industry is to the people involved, as well as those who just like to eat what is caught.
Trip to Maine
The first day in Maine we went to the Marine Research Center. This is a facility where they hold rare species of lobsters, sharks, and fish that can all be found in the Gulf of Maine. These two lobsters have a different color to there shells then we are used to seeing. They are these colors because of a lack of pigments in there shells. All lobsters have the three main pigments, red, yellow, and blue. If they have them all they are brown like we are used to seeing. If they are missing some they turn out different colors like the lobsters below.
Mutated Lobster
On day 1, we traveled to the Department of Marine Research in Booth Bay, Maine. We went into a wet lab where many sea creatures, fish, and sharks were held for research. In the wet lab we got to touch sea cucumbers, sea anemones, baby lobsters, crabs, and starfish. We saw many different mutated lobsters such as this half red, half brown one above. While this is the most common "half and half" mutation to find, is is still very uncommon and special. Some lobsters are half blue and red, or blue and brown, or even blue and yellow. No matter what color, they all turn red when cooked.
Pictures
The first picture witch is a picture of a basket of lobster was taken in a holding room. A holding room is where lobsterman keep the lobster that they couaght once they get to shore. Lobsters are also sorted by size. The holding room that my group visited was in Maine. Most of the lobsters were kept in a basket similar to the one in the picture, except they were in what looks like a small pool filled with cold salt water. The water is changed every so often to keep the lobsters fresh.
The second picture is a picture or a hearing. It was taken at a fish market in Portland Maine. Lobsterman like to use hearing as bait for lobsters.
The second picture is a picture or a hearing. It was taken at a fish market in Portland Maine. Lobsterman like to use hearing as bait for lobsters.
Wednesday and Thursday
We first met with Jim who knew everything there was to know about lobster. Jim allowed us to go on his boat as we were shown what a lobsterman does day in and day out. Jim owned his own company and holding room where they count and ship lobsters from. The tank in this holding room could provide the lobster with a perfect environment, even better than in the ocean. The lobster was separated by pound and value.
On Thursday we went to the wet lab. In the wet lab we were able to see lobsters that were born with different disorders. Most were unique shell pigments but for some three claws and shell disease. We learned that after a lobster molts, it's shell can look totally different when it grows back. Here we see a rare blue lobster which is said to be seen by lobsterman only once a year.
On Thursday we went to the wet lab. In the wet lab we were able to see lobsters that were born with different disorders. Most were unique shell pigments but for some three claws and shell disease. We learned that after a lobster molts, it's shell can look totally different when it grows back. Here we see a rare blue lobster which is said to be seen by lobsterman only once a year.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Lobsters Economically
How much money do lobstermen make per year?
How much lobster lobstermen catch per year determines how much their salary is. Some days are better than others, but as going out daily on a boat in the middle of the ocean is exhausting work, it is always a disappointment when only a couple lobsters per trap are dragged in. The average lobster fishing salary, is $48,000. Factors that vary this number are company, location, industry, and benefits.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)