O = Oysters and Other Ocean Finds
This journey through the alphabet highlighting various features of “This Maine Life” continues with the letter “O.” It is dedicated to the delicious category of ocean finds that we consume. Maine is known for its seafood. We have fish and clams, oysters and shrimp, and dozens of other treasures of the sea. Most Mainers won’t hesitate to share their favorite choice — and are likely to have at least one kind that they dislike.
In my opinion, those who make their living on the water are some of the hard-working Mainers you can find. At the end of this post, I’ve included a video clip of Virginia Oliver, a lobsterwoman. She has the best Maine accent and sense of humor. Oh, and she’s 101 years old.
Here is a brief list with some facts about Maine’s world of seafood.
Oysters are the newest “comeback kids” as their industry was revived in recent decades. As of 2018, over 100 commercial oyster farms were located along Maine’s Oyster Trail.
State fisheries are those found within three miles of shore; beyond that point is counted as federal waters.
Maine is famous for lobster! Nearly half the live pounds of the state’s commercial landings in 2019 belonged to this crustacean. That translates into over 100 million pounds at a value of $485,000,000.
Lobsters are found in a variety of colors, but turn bright red when they’re cooked.
Lobster used to be considered food for the poor. The meat wasn’t rationed during World War 2 so more Americans began to eat lobster and developed a craving for it that only grew in post-war years. The History Channel has a great article on this topic.
If you grew up in Maine, you likely attended at least one lobster or clambake during your childhood. It’s a tradition around here.
If you’re interested in learning more about the fishing villages of coastal Maine, this is the best book I’ve read on the subject…
Here is the promised video. It will — at the very least — make you smile.
This post is part of my A to Z Challenge Series with the overall theme, “This Maine Life.” I am covering a Maine-related topic with a different letter of the alphabet every day except Sundays throughout the month of April 2020.
