The Lobster Trap: Nova Scotia’s Unofficial Symbol
One of the most familiar sights in someone’s back yard on the South Shore of Nova Scotia is a lobster trap (at White Point Manor we have 8 of them!). The wooden boxes might be the focal point of a flower garden or one could be propped up against a mailbox. However,nothing spells out the spirit of the Atlantic Ocean like the collection of wooden strips and netted holes that once caught the most popular crustacean in the world.
Traditional traps are made of curved pieces of wood, wood laths, and nylon twine. Now, however, the newer traps are more rectangular and some are made of heavy wire mesh. Every trap has one or more funnel-shape openings fashioned from twine, which allow the lobster to enter the trap but prevent it from escaping.
Traps are also fitted with circular or rectangular escape mechanisms designed to allow small lobster to escape. They are baited with either fresh or salted fish, commonly herring, mackerel or gaspereau.
Although many non-fisherman buy lobster traps for ornaments it is quite illegal to fill the with bait and put them back int to ocean. This is called poaching and is punishable by a heavy fine. (Remember Kramer in that Seinfeld episode?) Lobster fishing is a very regulated industry and it is due mostly to the diligence of the fishermen that the lobsters have not gone the way of many other species of fish.
There are lobster boat tours where you can watch the fishing process. And, of course, you can attend one of Nova Scotia’s popular lobster suppers or fine restaurants and just pick your own out of a tank. But don’t just eat the lobster tail!
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