Identification

• Lobsters belong to the homanidae family of crustaceans. The ones we most commonly eat are the homanus americas. Once they reach the age of around five years, they will have grown to between one and three pounds. Then they are large enough to eat.
  
  

Geography

• Lobster harvesters set up to 800 traps each. In Maine, they have to register the designs for the buoys that mark their traps with the state. The location off shore where a harvester is allowed to place lobster traps is also designated by the state. Most lobster traps are set about 10 to 12 miles off shore.
  
  

Types

• Some lobster traps are made from strips of wooden lath which are woven into a basket shape with narrower funnels at each end through which the lobster enters but cannot exit. Other traps look like wooden or metal crates or cages. The are baited with clams or dead fish. Some lobster trap makers will create specialty traps to please individual lobster harvesters.
  
  

Time Frame

• Lobsters can be harvested year round. However, the best season for harvesting them is from late June to late December. If a female lobster whose eggs are visible gets trapped, the harvester notches her tail and releases her. This signifies that she is a good producer whose life should be spared.
  
  

Benefits

• The lobster industry is highly regulated, especially in Maine where it brings in more than $300 million in the actual sale of live lobsters right off the boat. More than 5700 lobster harvesters are registered in Maine alone.