Pounds 



A pound, as referred to here, means a cove, dammed off 

 from the sea, into which the tide ebbs and flows. 



Lobster pounds came into general use after canning of 

 lobsters was forbidden in Maine. A surplus of lobsters which 

 formerly could be handled by canning had to be preserved 

 by other means, and pounds were the answer. 



This seasonal increase in the catch of lobsters is strik- 

 ing. Most Canadian lobsters are imported during the 

 months of May and June, while the Maine landings are prin- 

 cipally in August and September. Together, Canadian im- 

 ports and Maine landings result in a peak supply during the 

 period from May to September. An additional need for 

 pounds is caused by the summer shedding season when 

 soft-shelled lobsters are unattractive as food, and have high 

 mortality in shipping. 



Today, tidal pounds represent over two-thirds of the 

 Maine live-lobster storage facilities, and are the best means 

 for holding lobsters for several months without high mor- 

 talities. 



The New England coast south of Cape Elizabeth 

 (Portland) lacks a highly indented coast line and protective 

 islands. This fact and the relatively small catch of lobsters 

 means that the southerly coast is not suited to construction 

 and use of tidal pounds. Practically all such pounds are 

 located between eastern Casco Bay and Jonesport, with 

 concentrations being generally located in the Boothbay, 

 Bristol and Friendship areas. 



A pound will be filled with hard-shell lobsters when 

 lobsters first become active in the spring and when 

 Canadian imports are at their peak. Care must then be 

 taken that the lobsters are taken out before the summer 

 moulting time, for many captive lobsters that shed their 

 shells are eaten by their companions. Pounding delays 



