How To Get Live Lobster Shipped

By John Meyer


There are a variety of reasons why you might be required to buy live crustaceans. You might run a pet store, own a seafood restaurant, or even want to cook them at home. If you do not live near a marine water body, you will need to get the live lobster shipped to where you are. In order for these animals to survive the journey, a couple of precautions need to be taken.

To keep your lobsters alive, they need to stay moist. Some people may assume that submerging them in water will do the trick, but this might cause more harm than good. If you want to keep them in sea water you will need to have a significant amount of this water, and your containers have to be well aerated. Fresh water is completely out of the question.

Although a lot of items are transported in airtight containers, when transporting live animals, you need to leave some breathing space. This will mean using containers with spaces to allow the circulation of air. The shipping container itself should also be adequately aerated. This will prevent a build-up of carbon dioxide, which could kill the lobsters.

While shipping these animals, a lot of bumping and moving could lead to the breakage of the shells. Therefore, it is advisable not to stuff too many in one container. Seaweed is also sometimes used to act as cushioning, and also to prevent these crustaceans from dying up. Before packing the lobsters, the person in charge should ensure that they are all healthy and have intact shells.

Most crustaceans are accustomed to low temperatures and therefore, require to be shipped in cool containers. The specific temperatures required might differ depending on the origin of the lobsters, but it should not be lower than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. Although dry ice is sometimes used when shipping, because it does not melt, it releases carbon dioxide. This could asphyxiate the lobsters.

The reputation of an establishment is based on the quality of services they offer. You can ascertain this by talking to other people who have used this company, or even checking online for reviews that mention them. This way, you will know whether they are regularly punctual, their reliability, and even whether they will accept special requests.

The costs of shipping will also factor in when you are choosing which firm to use. High prices do not guarantee good services, and suspiciously low prices are a warning sign. If you want to shorten the delivery time or have your produce specially packed, you will have to pay a little extra but in most cases, it is worth it. You could also ask your local seafood shop to add your items to their regular order, which might allow you to save some money.

Healthy lobsters should look alert, and wriggle when you hold them. Their shells might be greenish or black depending on their origin, but these should be firm and with no visible cracks. The packaging used to transport them should also be intact. Even if you trust your shipping company, ensure to wash these animals with a saline solution before cooking them, or moving them to your aquarium.




About the Author: