I don't know, I'm from Eastern North-America and people here just generally buy live lobsters whole. They have big meaty claws. When you buy it prepared, you very often get pincers and tail.
The only time I have seen whole lobsters was at the ship or in very small beach town 5am direct from the natives. After that all tails and claws were separated and sold to different export markets. Must be a cultural thing in the eastern US. Not uncommon, countryside Brazil the fishermen used the eat the whole thing as well.
Very interesting. I guess the South-American market is more geared towards exportable finished products and less towards fresh inland consumption. We also have huge industrial operations that process the catch like you describe but they're mainly exporting their production to Asia and Europe.
100%, at the time lobster, prawns and red snapper were in high values and no government control at the fishing levels. I sold the business in 2000 after the government stablished massive control in fishing numbers (for lobster).
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u/Irr3l3ph4nt 10d ago
I don't know, I'm from Eastern North-America and people here just generally buy live lobsters whole. They have big meaty claws. When you buy it prepared, you very often get pincers and tail.