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The Proper Way To Have 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.

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 presence of contaminants in the air is one of the reasons why people prefer to use airtight packaging. However, with live animals, you need a continuous flow of fresh air, and therefore, all the containers need to be well aerated.

When ordering live lobster, the animals need to be not only alive, but also intact. This means that the people in charge of the shipping will have to take some measures, to make sure that the lobsters do not arrive with broken shells. This will include carefully packing the right number of animal, to ensure they are not too cramped, but also not too few. Cushioning can also be provided by using seaweed.

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 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.

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.




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