As someone who loves seafood, especially lobster, I was curious to find out if there are lobsters available on the Oregon coast I live in California but have always wanted to take a trip up the West coast to Oregon Of course, being a seafood lover, I naturally wondered – are there lobsters on the Oregon coast?
This question led me down an interesting research rabbit hole to find the answer, It turns out there are some key differences between the lobster populations on the East and West coasts of the US
The Situation on the East Coast
On the East Coast, the iconic Maine lobster rules the waters. This is the classic lobster with the big front claws that comes to mind for most people when they think of lobster. The scientific name for the Maine lobster is Homarus americanus. It lives in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, with the biggest fisheries located off the coast of the New England states and maritime Canada provinces.
The Maine lobster fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in the United States. According to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, in 2020 the Maine lobster fishery was worth over $400 million! Maine lobsters are exported globally as a premium seafood item.
So lobster is certainly abundant on the East Coast, especially in northern New England waters.
A Different Story on the West Coast
When I looked into lobsters on the West Coast, specifically the Oregon coast, I discovered a quite different situation. While there are lobster species living in the Pacific Ocean, they are not the same as the iconic Maine lobster.
On the Oregon coast, there are three main types of lobster:
- California spiny lobster
- Painted spiny lobster
- Spotted spiny lobster
These are all spiny lobsters without the large front claws. They belong to a different family than the Maine lobster. Instead of the big claws for crushing and eating prey, spiny lobsters have antennae for sensing food.
The California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) is the most common spiny lobster species found on the Oregon coast. Itspopulation stretches all along the West Coast of North America, down into Mexico.
Spiny lobsters have been fished commercially off the Oregon coast since the 1880s. However, today the fishery is very small-scale, with low harvest levels. According to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife data, the 2020 commercial spiny lobster harvest totaled only around 30,000 pounds for the entire Oregon coast.
Spiny lobster numbers declined significantly in the 20th century due to overfishing. Strict management regulations were put in place. Lobster harvest is now only allowed during winter months. The low winter water temperatures put lobsters into a less active state, reducingCapture and handling mortality.
Recreational harvesting of spiny lobsters is also allowed on a limited seasonal basis. But again, only during winter months when it poses less stress to the lobsters.
Checking for Lobsters on the Oregon Coast
Given the very limited commercial spiny lobster fishery now, getting fresh local lobster on the Oregon coast may not be easy. It is not a thriving fishery like the East Coast Maine lobster supply. I learned that often, lobster found in Oregon seafood restaurants and markets is actually shipped in frozen from the Atlantic!
If trying to find true local Oregon spiny lobster while visiting, here are some tips:
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Check menus at seafood restaurants in small coastal towns to see if they feature spiny lobster caught by local fishermen when in season.
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Visit seafood markets and ask if they have lobster caught off the Oregon coast, especially in winter months when harvesting occurs.
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Time your trip between December and March to try and find the limited seasonal catch of spiny lobster.
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Be open to trying other fabulous, abundant Oregon seafood like Dungeness crab, salmon, halibut, oysters, and clams!
While not as iconic as the East Coast lobster, spiny lobster off Oregon still make for a tasty treat for seafood lovers. You may just have to enjoy them when in season and ask around to find local sources. Either way, a visit to the spectacular Oregon coast promises amazing scenery and seafood!