When we think of seafood here at Cape Porpoise Lobster Co. we think of the healthy, flavorful and fresh caught shellfish that make their ways into the nets of local Maine fisherman and then to our doors. But when you are served seafood at chain restaurants like Red Lobster, that isn’t quite what you are eating.
Chain restaurants are always looking for ways to cut costs, and one of the easiest ways to do so is by raising farmed fish.
Lobster
Darden Restaurants, the former owner of Red Lobster and the current owner of Olive Garden and a few other chains, announced a plan back in 2012 to create the world’s largest lobster farm in Malaysia. This farm was to become their main source of lobster meat, but they wouldn’t be raising the type of lobster you are picturing.
The big-clawed Maine lobster cannot survive in the Malaysian climate, so the lobsters to be grown were the clawless rock lobsters commonly found throughout the Pacific. Already used in many Red Lobster dishes, the spiny rock lobster doesn’t have the same succulent flavor that fresh Maine lobsters do, usually more rubbery in taste. And although Darden Restaurants no longer owns Red Lobster, this practice is one commonly used in the chain restaurant industry.
So how can you be sure what type of lobster meat is in your dish? We recommend cooking it yourself (or planning a visit to the coast of Maine).
Shrimp
According to Rodale’s Organic Life, more than 90 percent of shrimp eaten in the United States are imported from outside the country, which means that the shrimp you are eating in chain restaurants may be carrying banned chemicals and antibiotics. Raised in unsanitary conditions, farm raised shrimp and other crustaceans can carry diseases like Early Mortality Syndrome.
Luckily, you don’t have to steer clear of seafood altogether to avoid the problems mentioned above. All you have to do is pay closer attention to where your seafood comes from.
At Cape Porpoise Lobster Co. our seafood comes straight from the coast of Maine to your plate. Whether you are looking for lobster, crab, salmon or shrimp, we have you covered! Visit us online or give us a call at 1-800-967-4268 to place your order. Overnight shipping is always free, ensuring your meal is fresh and ready-to-eat when it arrives on your doorstep.
