Sourcing Our Lobster
Lobster fishing isn’t just a job. It’s a way of life in countless coastal communities…a tradition passed down from generation to generation. Red Lobster is proud to support the men and women in these communities who fish responsibly to ensure there’s lobster to catch and enjoy for generations to come.
Where our four kinds of lobster come from:
North American Lobster, also known as Maine or Maritime Lobster, comes from New England and Canada
North American Lobster is iconic, and not just because it’s our logo. It is the most sought-after lobster because of its large claws, sweet flavor and tender texture. We’re proud to work with suppliers and lobster fishermen who not only love lobster as much as we do, but who are committed to fishing practices that are intended to help protect and preserve the lobster population and other marine life for generations to come.
NOT TOO LITTLE, NOT TOO BIG
Lobstermen follow strict minimum size limits to allow lobster at least one reproduction cycle. If a lobster is too small, it goes back in the water. To help protect the natural restocking of the population, Red Lobster also has a maximum size restriction – we never serve lobster over 4 lbs. because larger lobster have a greater capacity for breeding and reproduction.
THE FUTURE IS FEMALE
Lobster fishermen use the “V-Notch” system to protect females capable of bearing eggs. The process is simple: when a female lobster bearing eggs is caught, a “V” is notched into the female’s fin tail, signaling to other fishermen that she is capable of bearing eggs and must be released if ever found in a trap. This conservation technique began in 1872, and it remains one of the most trusted methods for protecting the stock.
Sourcing Our Crab
On our menu, you'll often find Snow crab legs as well as crab meat in dishes like pasta, dips and stuffing. There are other varieties that can make a special appearance on our menu, if they're deemed abundant to catch responsibly, like Bairdi. No matter what the species, every crab we serve is wild-caught using crab traps or "pots."
Where you'll find the crab we serve:
SNOW CRAB STATS
- Depth: They can be found as far down as 3,900 feet, but are more typically sourced in seas 400-900 feet deep
- Size: 1 to 3 lbs. on average, growing up to almost 6 inches wide
- Appearance: Iridescent, with white on the sides of their feet.
- Snow Crab comes from the cold, pristine waters of the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska and the North Atlantic Gulf
Sourcing Our Shrimp
As part of our commitment to responsible sourcing, we are proud to serve both wild-caught and farm-raised shrimp from multiple countries throughout the globe while ensuring our suppliers follow farming and sustainability standards and best practices.
Where we get our shrimp:
Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, China, Ecuador and Guatemala
Sourcing Our Fish
You'll find Salmon, Flounder, and Cod on our menu year-round. They're traceable, sustainable and responsibly sourced - just like all of the seafood we serve.
Where we source our fish:
Salmon is farmed in Chile
BRINGING THE BEST FISH
We source from suppliers who practice sustainable, responsible production to minimize potential environmental impacts.
