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Lobster Day
"A woman should never be seen eating or drinking, unless it be lobster salad and Champagne, the only true feminine and becoming viands."
~ George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788-1824)
Lord Byron—never exactly shy about his own appetites, whether literary or otherwise—was also never at a loss for words. In his era, lobster was elevated as the most refined of delicacies, fit for aristocratic tables and poetic musings alike. Yet lobster’s reputation has hardly been constant. Archaeological evidence shows that lobster fishing has taken place in coastal waters for tens of thousands of years—stretching back some 35,000 to 100,000 years. For many European coastal dwellers it served as an important secondary food source, while in Britain’s seaside communities it often provided a reliable staple.
Over time, however, lobster’s standing shifted dramatically. In some ages it was a mark of privilege, reserved for the wealthy; in others it was dismissed as poverty fare, handed to indentured servants or considered barely suitable for common households. Today, lobster enjoys renewed prestige, its popularity so great that populations are monitored and aquaculture practices ensure sustainability.
This tartan, created by the Cape Sable Historical Society, celebrates the Lobster Fishery at the heart of Nova Scotia’s economy. It honors the fishers, their families, and the industries that sustain this cultural heritage. And just as Byron’s indulgences were fodder for gossip, the lobster—with its bright carapace and menacing claws—has long been irresistible to artists and illustrators. From the solemn still-lifes of the Dutch Masters to modern commercial and humorous depictions! ❤️ 💙 🧡 🤍 💛 💜 🦞 🦞 🦞 🧈
From the site: The American Lobster
Even before the Europeans arrived on the shores to settle in the “ New World”, the Mic Mac (Mi’kmaq) and Maleseet Indians of Atlantic Canada had been fishing the seas for lobster for hundreds of years. Long ago, lobsters were so plentiful that they often were found on the beach at low tide, and would wash up on shore in large storms. The tasty crustacean was known as “Wolum Keeh” to the Mic Macs, and was a source of food, fertilizer, and ornamental material. Hilton McCully wrote in his 1995 book, Pictou Island, “in the harbour of Cibou (Sydney, Cape Breton) in 1597, one haul of a little dragnet brought up 140 lobsters.” It is quite amazing to think that in just 400 years the lobster population has declined so greatly that if you were to throw a net out now you would be lucky to get any at all!
Long ago, before traps were used, lobsters were fished from the shallow waters by spearing or gaffing. Fishermen hunted for lobsters by torch light on calm evenings, spearing them as they crawled around in search of food. During the day they would spread a slick of oil over the surface of the water darkening the water below, and then throw out cod heads for bait. The lobsters would swarm around the bait and the fishermen would spear them. Although there was no real commercial market for lobster at this time, some fishermen did sell their catch to make money. Because the lobsters were worth more if there were no spear marks in them, the fishermen began using wire cages to trap the animals so they could get a better price. These wire cages were adapted from the Europeans who used them to catch crayfish and Spiny lobsters. There was such an abundance of lobster long ago that it was not a valued commodity and was considered a poor man’s food. It wasn’t until the second half of the 19th Century that the lobster industry began to flourish.
This tartan was designed by Linda Symonds for the Cape Sable Historical Society.
For more on lobsters in art, click the lobster painting by Yana Movchan.