  | Q: | What is a lobster pound? |
| A: | A lobster pound is the term the industry uses for a large natural holding facility. They are built along the shore, usually in a small inlet. A wall, called a dam, is built in the section facing the open ocean. This creates a very large swimming pool for the lobsters. As the tide comes in, water flows over the dam and floods the lobster pound. As the tide goes out, the dam ensures an adequate amount of water stays in the pound. The movement of the tides acts as a filter for the water. Fresh water comes in and is mixed with the water in the pound. The outgoing tide then flushes out the pound. |
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| Q: | How long can lobsters live in a pound? |
| A: | The answer to that is largely unknown. The usual pounding cycle runs from fall through the early spring. Lobsters are placed into the pounds when they are plentiful in late September and October. They are removed from the pounds throughout the winter to ensure a steady supply of product. Since lobsters in the wild become dormant as the water temperatures drop, having inventory in the pounds is very helpful when the lobsters are difficult to catch. |
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| Q: | What is a new shell lobster? |
| A: | A new shell lobster refers to a lobster that has just molted. As a lobster grows and needs more space in its existing shell, it will discard its existing shell and grow a new larger one. This process typically takes place during the summer when the water is warm. New shell lobsters are less expensive than hard shell lobsters because you are not getting as much meat within the shell. As the lobster continues to grow, it will soon expand within its shell and will once again have a hard shell. There is no difference in taste between a new shell and a hard shell lobster. |
