How To Get Live Lobster Shipped

By John Meyer


If you own a seafood shop or simply like incorporating seafood into your meals, then you might regularly need to have the supplies shipped to you. When dealing with food, it is better to use fresh ingredients, and this is why getting live lobster shipped to you, is the best option. To ensure that these animals get to you in good form, there are some things which need to be observed during the shipping process.

Lobsters are marine animals, meaning that they need to stay moist. This does not necessary mean packing them in containers filled with water, because there are risks associated with using both seawater as well as fresh water. If you use very little sea water, the animals will use up all the dissolved oxygen and die. On the other hand, placing them in fresh water will cause them to burst.

The containers you pack the animals in should be covered, but they should also have some spaces for aeration. You also have to ensure that the primary container is aerated, to prevent carbon dioxide from accumulating in this space. Keep in mind that crustaceans breathe through their gills, but still use oxygen.

Considering these are live animals, they should be packed with care. You can put them in partitioned containers, to ensure that each animal has enough space. However, these spaces should also not be too big as the subsequent moving could cause the bumping of the animals, leading to broken shells. Some people choose to pack seaweed in with the lobsters, to lower this possibility.

The temperatures on most of the shipping vessels are usually quite low, especially if they are carrying fresh produce. Because most lobsters dwell in cold water, they should be stored at about forty degrees Fahrenheit, to ensure they are cool enough but not frozen. This might cause them to seem inactive when they arrive, but also reduces their oxygen and energy consumption.

The shipping company you use should have a good reputation. This is determined by their efficiency, hygiene standards, and work ethic. The shipping containers should be clean, to prevent contaminating your seafood. Look out for those companies that have a return policy, as they will try their best to deliver fresh produce, to ensure they do not incur losses.

Shipping costs will vary depending on the amount of things you want to be delivered, and the distance covered. Things like special request and delivery to your doorstep might also inflate the price. You should visit different companies to inquire about how they go about the process and to see the rates. This way you will settle for a company you can trust and are comfortable with.

Once your lobsters are delivered, start the inspection by looking at the containers they came in. These should still be sealed, to prove that they have not been tampered with. The animals should be alert, although some of them may seem groggy and sluggish. If some of the animals seem dead, inquire how long they have been dead to determine whether it is still safe to cook them.




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