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Uncover the Largest Lobsters Ever Caught

lobster

Lobsters are more than a delicious meal; they’re also predators than can grow to impressive sizes – let’s get to know the largest lobsters ever caught!

lobster

When we think of lobsters, we often picture a delicious seafood dish served at a fancy restaurant. However, these creatures are much more than just a meal. Lobsters are fascinating animals that inhabit the ocean’s depths and are essential to the marine ecosystem. 

This article will explore the largest lobster ever caught on camera and some other notable catches. We’ll also provide general information about lobsters, their habitat, and their behavior and discuss the challenges lobster fishermen face. 

Finally, we’ll share some interesting facts about lobsters that will fascinate you whether you’re a seafood lover or an animal enthusiast! There’s plenty to learn about these intriguing creatures, so let’s dive in!

Key Points

  • The largest lobster caught on camera was a 40-pound lobster.
  • Other notable large lobsters include a 44-pound lobster.
  • Lobsters have been around for more than 350 million years.
  • Lobsters can be caught using traps or by hand-selecting them.
  • Responsible fishing practices and conservation efforts are essential for protecting lobster populations and ensuring their survival for future generations.

List of Largest Lobsters Ever Caught

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Since Lobsters can range from really small to really big, we decided to compile a list of some of the largest lobsters ever caught:

#1 Largest Maine Lobster – 27 pounds

One of the largest lobsters was found in Maine and weighed an astonishing 27 pounds. It was also over 40 inches long and 20 inches wide and was estimated to be over 100 years old.

#2 Nova Scotia Lobster – 44 pounds

The lobster seized in Nova Scotia weighed 44 pounds, was over 3 feet long, and was estimated to be over 100 years old. This incredible creature was caught off the coast of Nova Scotia in 1977 and was also donated to the New England Aquarium.

#3 Cushing Maine Lobster – Rocky – 27 pounds

Rocky was a massive lobster caught off the coast of Cushing, Maine, in 2012. He weighed 27 pounds, and his age was approximated at a century old. After being caught, Rocky was released back into the ocean, as he was too large to be sold commercially.

#4 Hempstead Lobster – Louie – 22 pounds

Louie was a giant lobster caught off Long Island, New York coast in 2013. He weighed 22 pounds, was over 2 feet long, and was estimated to be around 95 years old. Louie was donated to the Long Island Aquarium, where he has become a popular attraction.

#5 Canada Lobster – George – 20 pounds

George was a massive lobster caught off the coast of Canada in 2009. He weighed 20 pounds and was over 3 feet long. After being caught, George was sold to a seafood restaurant but ended up being released back into the ocean.

#6 Big Dipper Maine Lobster – 23 pounds

The Big Dipper was a giant lobster caught off the coast of Maine in 2013. He weighed 23 pounds and was approximately over ten decades old. After being caught, the Big Dipper was released back into the ocean, as he was too large to be sold commercially.

#7 Florida Lobster – Larry – 19 pounds

Larry was a massive lobster caught off the coast of Florida in 2012. He weighed 19 pounds and measured over 2 feet long. After being caught, Larry was donated to the Maine State Aquarium, where he became a popular attraction.

Of course, we’re only noting down the lobsters that fishermen and marine enthusiasts have caught and recorded (and proven!) There might be lobsters larger than anything we’ve ever imagined out there, just waiting to be discovered. 

After all, these creatures molt, change, and evolve every moment of their life, making it impossible to estimate their stopping point.

The next section will discuss some general information about lobsters, including their physical characteristics and natural habitat.

General Information About Lobsters

largest lobsters ever caught

Lobsters are crustaceans that belong to the family Nephropidae. These creatures inhabit the seas, especially the Atlantic. Lobsters are well-known for their hard, spiny shells, providing excellent protection against predators. Here are some other interesting facts about lobsters:

Physical Characteristics

Lobsters are typically brownish-green in color, but they can also be red, blue, or yellow. They have long antennae and two large claws, one larger than the other. Lobsters use their claws to catch prey, defend themselves, and attract mates. They have a hard exoskeleton that they shed periodically as they grow. Lobsters can live up to a century, and reach up to 44 pounds in weight, as seen in the list above.

Habitat and Behavior

Lobsters live in rocky, underwater areas and are often found in crevices or under ledges. Due to their conditioning in the dark, they prefer the darkness, making them nocturnal rather than diurnal. These creatures feed on all sorts of prey, including fish, crabs, and clams. They are also sometimes cannibals – if no other food source is available, they will eat other lobsters if given the opportunity.

Fishing for Lobsters

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Lobster fishing is a challenging and dangerous profession that requires skill, experience, and patience. The traditional method of catching lobsters is using lobster traps or “pots” made of wire mesh and baited with fish heads. These traps are placed on the ocean floor and left for some time before being retrieved.

Moreover, Lobster fishermen must navigate rough waters, handle extreme weather conditions, and handle heavy equipment to catch their prey. They must also be knowledgeable about lobster behavior and habitat to place their traps in the most productive areas.

Government agencies regulate commercial lobster fishing to ensure sustainable harvests and protect lobster populations. Rules and regulations may include limits on the number of traps that can be used, minimum size limits for lobsters that can be harvested, and restrictions on the fishing season.

In addition to commercial fishing, recreational lobster fishing is popular in some areas. Recreational lobster fishermen typically use hand-held nets or tickle sticks to catch lobsters.

Conservation

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However, overfishing, pollution, and climate change have threatened lobster populations in some areas. In response, conservation measures have been implemented to protect these important creatures. 

These measures may include limiting the number of traps that can be used, closing fishing areas during certain times of the year, and releasing lobsters that are undersized or that have eggs.

Check out this story on lobster larvae smuggling.

Interesting Facts

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Here are some interesting facts about lobsters that you may not know:

  • Lobsters are the oldest creatures to exist right now (that scientists have noted), and researchers have dated their origin to 350 million years ago.
  • While Lobsters are now considered quite a delicacy, it was not the case in the 1700s when poor people snacked on them.
  • Lobsters can swim backward by rapidly flexing their tail and abdomen.
  • The world’s largest lobster cooker is located in Shediac, New Brunswick, and can cook up to 800 lobsters at a time.
  • In some areas, lobsters are caught by divers who hand-select the lobsters they want to harvest.
  • Lobster shells are pretty hard – they can make chitin, and that item is brought to use in medical paraphernalia like wound dressing and such. 
  • In Maine, it is illegal to catch lobsters that are missing claws or that have been mutilated in some way.

Learn more about lobsters here!

The Bottom Line

largest lobsters ever caught

Lobsters are mesmerizing creatures that have captured the hearts and minds of people worldwide. From the largest lobster ever caught to the intricacies of lobster fishing and conservation, there is much to learn and appreciate about these animals.

While lobsters have been fished for centuries and continue to be a popular seafood item, it is important to ensure that we are fishing sustainably and protecting these creatures for future generations. 

Through responsible fishing practices, conservation efforts, and continued interest in learning about these amazing creatures, we can help ensure that lobsters continue to thrive in our oceans.

So the next time you enjoy a delicious lobster dinner or spot a lobster in the wild, take a moment to appreciate the complexity and beauty of these creatures.

Thank you for reading this article? Read about another sea resident that is equally impressive (and delicious) is the Bluefin Tuna. A fish you should stay far away from, on the other hand, is the stonefish as it has an extremely toxic bite.