July 8, 2012 – Hard-shell lobsters are currently selling between $3.50 and $3.75 a pound in the Hub, but that’s not buttering up state lobstermen forced to deal with an oversupply of soft-shell crustaceans and sudden price drops from Canadian processors.
“It’s probably the most valuable single species resource in coastal water today, but these guys need $4 a pound to make ends meet,” said Bill Adler, executive director of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association. Lobstermen “are bringing in a lot of lobsters and not getting much for it.”
Lobster prices, as of last week, were $3.75 for hard shells and $3 for soft shells and culls — one-claw critters — on the Cape; and between $3.50 and $3.75 a pound on the North and South shores, respectively, Adler said.
The meaty delicacy sold in Boston at a boat price of close to $5 a pound this time last year, Adler said.
“Catches have been very good. However, a lot of what they are bringing in is this new shell, soft-shell lobster. Now this has been about four-to-six weeks earlier than expected,” Adler said, adding that because of their soft shells, they must be eaten more quickly after they’re caught. Adler said the new-shell lobsters arrived before tourists this summer — creating a glut.
Soft-shell lobsters have recently molted, or shed their old shells, so they can begin growing new, larger shells. Young lobsters can molt five times a year, while older crustaceans usually shed their shells annually.
Read the full story at the Boston Herald.