Zeeuwse Kreeft

After Zuid-Beveland was joined to Brabant by a dam in 1867, no fresh river water from the Schelde could stream in to the Oosterschelde, this meant that especially in the winter there was not enough salt in the Oosterschelde for the lobsters. The water is salty enough now so the lobsters can stay. The offspring of the lobster comes from larva out of the North Sea; this ensures that the Oosterschelde is well stocked.

Undoubtedly lobster that escape from Yerseke live here too. Currently the lobsters come from the mouth of the Westerschelde, in the Oosterschelde, the Veerse Meer and the Grevelingen and quite a few fishermen make good living from them. Lobster pots with bait are positioned by the men from small boats one day and collected the next. It is good luck if there are one or more lobsters in the pot. The season is quite short, from April 1st to the middle of July, that is to avoid over fishing. Small lobsters shorter than( 8.5cm.) are carefully returned to the water as are any females with eggs. After all we must ensure the survival of the lobsters.

Lobsters mate in the Autumn and the females carry the eggs for nine months, in the spring she lays her eggs and they hatch, then after about ten days the hatchlings go to the bottom of the river and grow.
It takes 6 to7 years before they can be caught.

Lobsters eat anything; they eat seaweed, shellfish, fish, worms, sea stars ,and given half a chance each other. The taste of our Zeeuwse lobster comes from the clean and clear water where they (and their food) live happily, and that’s all we ask for. The conservation rules and responsible fishing, ensure that there is no over fishing.