Harbor Fish Market

On day 2, we went to Portland, Maine to the Harbor Fish Market which was located a few buildings down from the ocean.  Here we saw freshly caught fish, shellfish, lobsters, crabs, and shrimp. Many people were in the market buying fresh fish to cook and prepare for meals. The fish above are called Ocean Perch which sold for $3.49 a pound.

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.

 The second day of going to Maine we traveled to Portland. In Portland we went out to lunch at a great seafood diner. Later in the day we went and checked out a fish market, the fish market sold just about everything that can be caught and ate in the ocean. It was cool to see how the other end of the lobstering is run which is selling the lobster.

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.

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.

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. 

http://www.simplyhired.com/a/salary/search/q-lobster+fishing

How much does a lobster cost?

Lobster is a type of seafood that is very desirable and not relatively cheap. However, it is extremely tasty, healthy, and can be used in a variety of dishes such as soups, gumbos, salads, bisques, and pasta. Lobsters are most commonly purchased from grocery stores, seafood markets, or at restaurants. The price of a lobster is based on its size and type. On average in a grocery store a lobster is between $12 to $18 per pound. If a lobster is bought at a restaurant as a main dish, it is usually double the price as it has been delivered to the restaurant and then prepared for you.

http://www.howmuchisit.org/how-much-does-a-lobster-cost/

How much lobster does Maine catch per year and how much money does it bring to the state?

In 2012, Maine caught 105 million pounds of lobster. Maine is the country’s largest producer of lobsters, catching 75-85% of clawed lobsters that are caught in the United states. Last year, the lobster industry of Maine brought $330 million dollars into the state, but the total economic impact on the state of Maine is $1.7 billion. The reason for this, is because every dollar paid for a lobster to a lobsterman is $3 to $5 in businesses such as dealers, processors, restaurants, stores, and bait suppliers. 

http://www.pressherald.com/news/market-forces-make-everyone-feel-the-pinch_2012-08-12.html

How does lobstering economically impact the United States?

Lobster economically impacts the United states in a positive way. In 1999 the United states caught 87,420,414 pounds of lobster which brought in $322,754,058. The U.S exported $315,889,000 in 2003. Each year more and more people become involved with catching and selling lobster. Over 25,000 lobster licenses are issued every single year. Since American lobster is ranked third on the seafood export list for the U.S, we make a lot of profit from it because there is such a high demand. Maine is responsible for 61% of landings followed by Massachusetts (18%), Rhode Island (7%), Connecticut (3%), New Hampshire (1%), and others (9%). 

http://www.lobster.um.maine.edu/media/economic%20brochure.pdf

 

Lobstering and Economics

What is lobstering’s economic impact on the United States?

Each year, the United States issues over 25,000 lobster licenses.  American lobster is ranked as the third U.S. fresh/frozen fishery product on the seafood export list.  In 2003, these lobster exports were worth $315,889,000.  In 1999, the largest lobster landings on record was at 87,420,414 pounds, valued at $322,754,058.  By state, Maine is responsible for the largest amount of U.S. landings, contributing to 61%.  Following, Massachusetts is responsible for 18%, Rhode Island for 7%, Connecticut for 3%, New Hampshire for 1%, and all other states combined are responsible for 9%.  In total, the lobster industry has an impact of $.7-1.2 billion on the United Stated economy.  However, coupled with it’s $1.7-2.8 billion impact on Canada’s economy, it has a total impact of $2.4-4.0 billion.  

Source: http://www.lobster.um.maine.edu/media/economic%20brochure.pdf

What type of economic impact does lobstering have industry-wide? 

Annually in the United States and Canada, they have landed about 183,000,000 lobsters.  62% of the landings were contributed by Canada, while 38% by the United States.  It is estimated that for every dollar a lobsterman is paid for a single lobster, about $3-$5 is generated for ancillary businesses.  Of all the catches, only 25% goes to live market, and the other 75% is processed.  Within the 75% of processed catches, Canada controls over 90% of the processed market.  

Source: http://www.lobster.um.maine.edu/media/economic%20brochure.pdf

How does the lobstering industry economically contrast between Maine and Massachusetts? 

Maine’s lobster industry has an estimated $500,000,000 impact on the state economy.  In contrast, Massachusetts has an estimated $246,000,000 impact.  While Maine has a total of 144 lobstering ports in Maine, Massachusetts homes only 52.  This can be accounted for by the difference in the financial impact the industry has on each state.  

Source: http://www.lobster.um.maine.edu/media/economic%20brochure.pdf

How much do lobstermen make each year? 

On average, lobstermen make a salary of about $48,000 per year.  However, these salaries can significantly vary as a result of company, industry, location, experience, and benefits.  When entering the industry, lobsterman must take into account the dangers and risk that this job entails, which has an additional impact on salary depending on whether or not the location is more dangerous than others.  

Source: http://www.simplyhired.com/a/salary/search/q-lobster+fishing

Lobster in economy

How much does live lobster cost?

Live lobster typically costs on average $12-$18. It costs more if it is more fresh. The less fresh it is the cheaper it is.

How does lobstering effect the economy?

The lobstering industry has a large impact on the economy. The largest supplier brings in about 2.4-4 billion dollars per year.

How much do lobsterman in Massachusetts make a year?

Lobsterman in Massachusetts makes about 49,254,000. That number is a gross income.

How many lobster traps are in Massachusetts?

In 2002 there were 506,000 traps fished by Massachusetts lobsterman.

Lobstering and the economy

How much do lobstermen make?

Lobstering in Maine lately has been booming. Last year Maine lobstermen caught 100 million pounds of lobster, worth over 330 million. That number is split up between the thousands of lobstermen in Maine. The lobstermen receives a little over 3$ a pound for a lobster, which isn't bad but a few years ago they were receiving 4 or 5$ a pound. Successful, experienced lobstermen can make 60,000$ to over 80,000$ a year.

How much does lobster cost?

Lobster, depending on the season and how many lobsters are being caught is sold from 7$-15$ a pound. This price seems high but people traveling to New England are more then willing to pay that price. If you go to a restaurant the price will be even higher. It would over 20$ for a lobster a little over 1 pound, and even more expensive at a high end restaurant. People are still willing to pay that price because you can't get lobster like that everywhere. 

How much does it cost to go lobstering?

Lobstermen have a lot of expenses they have to pay before being able to receive a profit for there lobster. The lobster pots they use to catch lobsters cost about 50$ and they use hundreds of pots. Plus lobstermen say it cost them about 400$ a day just to untie there boat.

Where are the lobsters sold?

In Maine there are thousands of lobstermen going fishing everyday. Most of them work for a specific market where they bring all of their catch back to and sell it. These lobstermen usually own the market or are high in the ranks of the market. Other lobstermen sell there catch to seas food restaurants or groceries stores through the country, but most New Engand and the east coast.

Lobster in the economy

How much does it cost a day for a lobsterman to go out?
On average it cost about $400 a day for a lobster boat to go out. This is with just fuel, bait, and a deck hand. This is roughly $2000 a week. Lobsterman say that the price of fuel, bait, and equipment are going up, but the only thing not going up is the price of lobster. Over the past ten years lobster has only gone up 20 cents.

What is the annual salary of a lobsterman?
Lobsterman catch about 1000 pounds a day. Before all the expenses that's worth anywhere from $130,000 - $200,000 a year in sales. $25,000 -$45,000 for an average annual salary.



Mass.

Estimated state economic impact = $246,000,000
Gross income for lobstermen is approximately
$49,254,000
Lobster fishery is Massachusetts’ most valuable state waters single species marine resource and fishery.
1531 licensed commercial harvesters and 8,000 recreational lobster permits for trapping and 4,000 recreational licenses for divers
52 lobstering ports in Massachusetts
506,000 traps fished by Massachusetts lobstermen in 2002

http://www.lobster.um.maine.edu/media/economic%20brochure.pdf



UNITED STATES
1999—Largest U. S. lobster landings on record at 87,420,414 pounds, valued at $322,754,058
U.S. Exports = $315,889,000 in 2003
There are over 25,000 lobster licenses issued in the
U.S. each year
American lobster is ranked third on the seafood export list for U.S. fresh/frozen fishery products (behind #1 surimi and #2 salmon)


http://www.lobster.um.maine.edu/media/economic%20brochure.pdf

Global warming

How does global warming affect the population of lobsters?

The temperature and chemical composition of the water has a large affect on lobsters. Although warmer water increases lobster population, it could disrupt the larval lobsters food source witch would lead to a decrease in population. When the water is warmer, it could also lead to lobsters getting diseases.

How does global warming affect lobsters diet?

Carbon dioxide negativity affects lobster because it negativity affects smaller organisms like mussels and shrimp that lobsters eat. Therefore, it not only weakens the things lobsters eat, but also weaken lobster. This makes lobster more vulnerable in the ocean, smaller, and not as tasty.

How has global warming affected lobster migration?

Due to warmer weather, it has forced lobsters to migrate to colder waters. Between Long Island and Buzzards Bay, the population of lobster has dropped, and has grown in the gulf of Maine.

Effect of Global Warming on Lobsters

                                                                       How does global warming affect lobsters?

Global warming affects lobsters in negative ways. Lobsters are healthy, if the temperature of the ocean water and chemical composition is right. Sea water contains calcium carbonate which is extracted into lobsters helping them build their shells. If calcium carbonate was reduced in the ocean, then it will ultimately hurt the lobsters and shorten their lives. Although warmer water has been known to increase lobster population, it also can damage the food source for larval lobsters, reducing the numbers of born lobsters. Additionally, warm water also increases the chance of disease is lobsters which could greatly affect us all. 

http://globalwarming-factorfiction.com/2007/12/28/global-warmings-impact-on-lobsters-has-scientists-in-a-stew/

How does global warming affect lobster’s interaction with one another?

When lobsters are caught by fishermen and put into tanks, their claws get banded up so they don’t eat one another in the depressing and tiny tanks. This behavior usually was usually only seen when lobsters were locked up together in a tank, but now because of global warming the cannibalism of lobsters is happening in the ocean. Because global warming is heating the water up, the lobster population is increasing, while its predators are being killed off by the water change. This results in a high number of lobsters crowding each other. The big lobsters eat the little ones as they are a nuisance and food has become more limited. 

http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/warming-oceans-are-turning-lobsters-into-cannibals

Lobster Cannibalism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvF7IYa6obc&feature=player_embedded

What is lobster shell disease?

Lobster shell disease is caused by global warming as it heats up the ocean waters allowing for more bacteria to grow. Along the coast of Maine, and in the Long Island Sound, many lobsters are dying because of shell disease. The shell disease eats the lobster alive as it eats through its shell and prevents the lobster from molting, resulting in its death. Shell disease is not caused by one bacteria, it is caused by many that make the perfect combination in destroying lobster shells. Researchers first noticed lobster shell disease 20 years ago. The disease showed up as little black dots on the lobsters’ shells. Today, the disease has gotten so bad that lobsters’ entire shell is infected! Some shells are even rotted entirely. In the southern New England area and the Long Island sound, thirty percent off the total lobster population is infected.

http://cos.gmu.edu/research/news/lobster_disease

Global Warming

What is global warming’s impact on lobsters?

The concept of global warming is the idea that Earth’s atmosphere will grow warmer and the concentration of carbon dioxide will continue to increase.  With this, global sea temperatures will rise, which will cause the ocean water to become more acidic.  As expected, this is not good for the animals living in the sea.  For example, lobsters are dependent on drawing calcium carbonate from the water in order to build their shells.  However, if the waters become more acidic, the lobsters will have to work harder to build their shells, taking energy away from searching for food.  In addition, while scientists have known about the predicted increase in ocean acidity, they are still unsure how it will affect lobsters in the Gulf of Maine.  

Source: http://oceanacidification.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/global-warming’s-impact-on-lobsters-has-scientists-in-a-stew/

What is the impact of warm water on cold water lobsters?

There are two different types of lobster - Spiny lobsters, which are found in warm waters such as the Caribbean, and Clawed lobsters found in cold waters, such as Maine.  Clawed lobsters are cold-blooded, as a result of their body temperatures being determined by the water they live in.  Many parts of the lobsters’ life such as a food and reproduction is dependent on the temperature of the ocean floor.  If the cold-water lobsters are living in higher temperatures, they will need to use more energy for respiration.  This will leave them with less energy to grow and reproduce.  In addition, the habits of the lobsters will fluctuate with temperature.  They are likely to move toward higher latitudes or to areas cooled by tidal mixing.  Thus, they are still on the hunt for colder temperatures.  

Source: http://www.neaq.org/conservation_and_research/climate_change/effects_on_ocean_animals.php

What is the issue with “lobster shell disease”?

Scientists have been able to, through seen evidence, link rising ocean water temperatures to the spread of lobster shell disease in Massachusetts waters.  Lobster shell disease has become increasingly more common over the years.  This disease is caused by bacterial infection in the carapace.  In addition, a new type of shell disease was discovered in the late 1990’s in New England when temperatures were higher than before.  The more threatening temperatures are when the waters exceed 20 degrees Celsius, or 68 degrees Farehnheit.  This disease also impacts the lobsters growth, promoting sexual maturity earlier than it would have naturally been.  Overall, lobster shell disease is caused by the increasing water temperatures as a result of global warming, and is unsafe for the creatures affected.  

Source: http://www.neaq.org/conservation_and_research/climate_change/effects_on_ocean_animals.php

Global Warming Impact On Lobsters

How does global warming affect the ocean?
Global warming is the atmosphere of the earth getting warmer. Its happening because all of the CO2 we use is polluting the atmosphere. This pollution and rise in temperature is taking its tole on the oceans, they are beginning to get warmer and become more acidic. This is hurting coral reefs abilities to grow and scientist expect a major die off in the next 50 years.

How does acidic water impact lobster?
Like coral reefs lobsters rely on drawing calcium carbonate from the water to build there shells. If the waters of the Northeast Atlantic grow more acidic, crustaceans will have to work harder to build there shells, and will have less energy for finding and getting food. This could have a serious impact on lobsters ability to reproduce, and could seriously hurt the lobster industry.

How are warm waters impacting lobster?


Scientist have found that the waters of Maine have been steadily increasing over the last few years, but so has the lobster population. They don't expect that trend to keep going though, smaller lobsters feed off the plankton, which have two large blooms a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. The warmer waters could move the plankton blooms to later in the fall and earlier in the spring. That means no plankton would be around when the lobster larvae are around in the summer, so they would have nothing to feed on. South of Cape Cod the lobster population left about 10 years ago and has never fully came back. Warmer dirties waters are also giving the lobsters a disease called shell disease. It does nothing to affect the meat of the lobster but it makes the shell to unsightly for sale. Scientist from Southern Maine say the warm waters hurting or helping the lobster literally depends on a few degrees. If the water temperatures rise just a couple degrees the lobsters food will grow rapidly and they will have lots of food to eat. But if it raises to much the lobsters become stress and will start to die off.

Is global warming harming lobsters?

What does global warming do to the population of lobsters?
The population of lobsters has begun to decrease due to global warming. Larval lobsters feed off two different types of microscopic organisms . phytoplankton and zooplankton are used to feed these new-born lobsters. Due to warmer water temperature, these organism can not grow and if they do it is at the wrong time. This makes it nearly impossible for the new lobsters to survive. The lobster population south of cape cod has crashed.

Does warmer water temperature threaten the lobsters health?
Yes. Scientist have found that in the years since global warming has been a problem there has been an increased amount of lobsters with shell disease. Also scientist are now finding new kinds of shell diseases that have never been seen before. "Scientists have also seen evidence linking rising seawater temperatures to the spread of lobster shell disease in Massachusetts’ waters. Caused by a bacterial infection in the carapace, lobster shell disease has become dramatically more common in recent years." Scientist also say the disease has been known in lobsters who spend more time in waters over 68 degrees F.

Could global warming be good for lobsters?
The lobsterman in Maine would most likely argue yes. Due to warmer waters down south and increased population of lobster has been found in the gulf of Maine. "This may also be due to ocean warming, as It may be that the newly warmer waters spur a longer growing season, encourage more rapid growth, cause lobsters to hatch earlier and provide better conditions for larval lobsters." With warmer water , over-fishing has eliminated then number of Cod as well which is a predator.

Biology of a Lobster

How do you tell the sex of the lobster?

On the “belly” side of the lobster are swimmerets. They are small feather-like appendages on the tail. The first pair of swimmerets that are closet to the main part of the lobster’s body, are tough, hard, and bony. The rest of them are soft like all of the swimmerets on a female. Female lobsters have a small shield that is rectangular and lies between her second pair of legs. This is where the sperm are stored after mating before she lays her eggs. Additionally, females have bigger and wider tales than males as they need the broadness to carry a lot of eggs. 
http://www.gma.org/lobsters/trivia.html

How do lobsters mate?

Before a female lobster begins her molting process, she approaches a male and releases her scent by urinating. If he chooses to accept her, he will come out of his niche and the two have a short sparring battle. When the female is ready to molt and mate, she puts her claws on the male’s head to let him know she is ready. When the male and female lobsters enter his niche the female gets out of her shell in the molting process. The male then proceeds to flip the female over onto her back using his legs and mouth. Next, the male passes his sperm into the female’s body between her sets of legs, using his rigid and hard swimmerets, which are small appendages usually used for swimming. The female lobster then stays in the male’s niche, until her new shell is hard. 

http://www.bigsiteofamazingfacts.com/how-do-lobsters-mate-reproduce-and-lay-eggs-in-the-ocean

Watch a video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPTtkS_rh2k

    

                                                                                How do lobster’s breathe?

Lobster’s just like most underwater creatures breathe through their gills. However A lobster’s gills are located at the bottom of its walking legs. This is the equivalent to humans breathing from their hips! Gills are feathery blood-filled organs that extract oxygen from seawater. The blood that is in the gills then travel to other parts of the body, delivering oxygen to all areas. A lobster must keep water moving through its gills just like human keep breathing in order to continuously have oxygen move through the body. 

http://animals.howstuffworks.com/marine-life/lobster-info3.htm

How do lobster’s grow?

Lobsters grow by molting, or in other-words by shedding their shells. Before shedding and leaving their old shell, they grow and soft and thin shell underneath. When the lobsters are molting, they release enzymes that soften the shell further as well as their joints. At this point, the lobster then squeezes out of its old shell while taking water in to expand their body size at the same time. The process of molting takes approximately 15 minutes and every time they molt they increase in size by 20%. At this point in time, it takes lobsters about 6 to 8 weeks for their shell to completely harden to the point where they can protect themselves. Immature lobsters, which are 5-7 years old, molt up to 25 times a year. Adult lobsters molt much less, males molt twice a year, while females only molt once. When lobsters are old they only molt once every 3-4 years. 

http://www.veganpeace.com/animal_facts/Lobsters.htm

Biology of Lobsters

How do lobsters reproduce? 

Like all living creatures, lobsters must reproduce in order to prevent extinction.  A female lobster usually mates when she is in the soft shell state.  This state takes place right after she has shed her shell, or in other words, molted.  A one pound female lobster carries about 8,000 eggs, each of which are 1/16” when freshly laid.  In comparison, a nine pound female lobster can carry more than 100,000 eggs.  These eggs are carried inside for about nine to twelve months, and then become externally attached for another nine to twelve months.  These eggs are attached by a glue-like substance to the swimmerets, which is located under her tail.  Finally, once the eggs hatch, the mother releases them by fanning her swimmerets. 

Source: http://www.lobster.um.maine.edu/index.php?page=48

What is the lifecycle of a lobster? 

When lobsters are first born, they enter the larval stage of their life.  In this stage, they float near the water’s surface for about four to six weeks, while being very susceptible to prey and will go through three molts.  After the fourth molt, the few lobsters that survive will enter the post-larval stage, and settle to the bottom of the ocean.  At the bottom, they will look for hiding places such as rocks or grassy areas.  After growing more, they will start to hide less of the time.  This is called the “Juvenile Lobster” stage.  During this stage, they can molt up to twenty-five times before entering the adult stage.  The stage of adulthood is reached after five to eight years, where the male lobsters will molt once a year, and females every two years.  Lastly, lobsters grow by molting.  This is when they try to leave their shell while also absorbing water to expand body size. 

Source: http://www.lobster.um.maine.edu/index.php?page=48

How do lobsters digest?

A lobster’s digestive system is made of a long tract that contains three main regions known as the foregut, midgut, and hindgut.  Similar to people, the food is first handled by the mouth parts and crushed by the mandible before swallowing.  It then enters the esophagus, which is a muscular organ that contracts to push the food to the anterior  

chamber of the stomach.  Different muscles of the stomach compress and expand to mix the food with digestive enzymes.  The food then goes through a triangular structure, known as the gastric mill, which grinds food into fine particles so that they can pass into the pyloric stomach.  There, they are filtered according to their size - minute particles to the midgut gland to be further digested and absorbed into the blood, and larger particles back to the pyloric stomach.  From the pyloric stomach, these larger particles pass into a tubular portion of the midgut.  Finally, some of the end products of digestion are absorbed into the blood stream, while remaining material is packaged into fecal pellets.  Contractions of the midgut force these pellets to the hindgut, and proceed to the enlarged rectum where rapid contractions push the pellets out the anus.  

Source: http://www.lobsters.org/tlcbio/biology4.html

Why do lobsters turn red when they’re cooked? 

Lobsters turn red when they are cooked due to the carotenoid pigment in their shell.  This pigment, known as Astaxanthin, is the bright red coloring that is mixed with other colors.  For this reason, the lobsters have their natural coloration.  However, when combined with heat, the Astaxanthin pigment is stable, while the other pigments break down, leaving only the bright red.  

Source: http://marinelife.about.com/od/invertebrates/f/LobstersRedWhenCooked.htm

Biology of lobsters

Do all lobsters have claws?

Not all lobsters have claws. Lobsters that live in warmer climates typically do not have claws. Instead they have large antennae. Lobsters in North America or in other colder climates have claws.

What is the life span of a lobster?

A typical lobster is believed to have the ability to live up to 100 years old. For a lobster that lives in colder water or an "American" lobster to be edible it takes 6-7 years for them to grow.

What do lobsters eat?

Lobsters eat lots of living things. For instance they eat mussels, fish, crabs, sea urchins and other lobsters.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ql8w_mEedE4

Where do lobsters live?

Lobsters live in and around see weed. They also live under and in between rocks. That keeps them safe from predictors. There is also things for them to eat like mussels in the rocks.

http://marinelife.about.com/od/invertebrates/tp/LobsterFacts.htm

http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/faq/fishfaq7.html