WASHINGTON, DC – In a bisque, on a toasted bun, or dipped in melted butter, however you prefer to enjoy lobster, be sure to mark your calendar for Sunday, September 25, 2022 which the U.S. Senate just officially designated as “National Lobster Day.”

In recognition of the economic, cultural, and historic importance of the lobster industry to Rhode Island and other coastal states, the U.S. Senate last night unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution, cosponsored by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Jack Reed (D-RI), to officially designate September 25, 2022 as National Lobster Day. 

“Designating September 25 as National Lobster Day helps recognize Rhode Islanders who work so hard to catch, process, prepare, serve, and ship lobster all over the country.  It’s also a fun excuse to get together with friends, put on a bib, and get cracking enjoying some locally-caught lobster,” said Senator Reed.  “Lobsters help shine a spotlight on Rhode Island’s coastal cuisine.  From dockside seafood shacks to gourmet fine dining, the Ocean State is known for having some of the best culinary spots in the country serving up fresh-caught local lobster on the menu in a variety of ways.”

Rhode Island’s hardworking lobstermen and women landed over 1.3 million pounds of lobster valued at over $10.5 million at Ocean State docks in 2021, according to a 2022 report by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM).

This marks the seventh year in a row that Senator Reed has helped lead the successful effort to officially recognize New England’s most famous crustacean and the men and women of the lobster industry who catch and prepare fresh, local lobster with a ‘National Lobster Day’ designation.

Full text of the resolution follows:

Whereas lobstering has served as an economic engine and family tradition in the United States for centuries;

Whereas thousands of families in the United States make their livelihoods from catching, processing, or serving lobsters;

Whereas the lobster industry employs people of all ages year round, and many harvesters begin fishing as children and stay in the industry for their entire working lives;

Whereas the lobster industry has spearheaded sustainability measures for more than 150 years, ensuring the health of the lobster stock and the marine environment;

Whereas consumers are looking to add more sustainable seafood to their diets, and more people are enjoying lobster at home;

Whereas historical lore notes that lobster likely joined turkey on the table at the very first Thanksgiving feast in 1621, and lobster continues to be a mainstay during many

other holiday traditions;

Whereas lobster harvesters are evolving and diversifying their businesses to help maintain the health of the ocean in the face of climate change, including through kelp farming,

which absorbs carbon dioxide from seawater;

Whereas throughout history, Presidents of the United States have served lobster at their inaugural celebrations and state dinners with international leaders;

Whereas lobster is a versatile source of lean protein that is low in saturated fat and high in vitamin B12;

Whereas lobster is continually incorporated into foods such as pho, gnocchi, doughnuts, cocktails, ice cream, and butter;

Whereas the peak of the lobstering season in the United States occurs in late summer;

Whereas the Unicode Consortium added a lobster to its emoji set in 2018 in recognition of the popularity of the species around the world;

Whereas lobsters have inspired artists in the United States and throughout the world for hundreds of years;

Whereas lobsters have been, and continue to be, used as mascots for sports teams;

Whereas lobster inspires innovation of all kinds beyond the culinary realm, including skincare, fertilizers, and biodegradable golf balls;

Whereas countless people in the United States enjoy lobster rolls to celebrate summer, from beaches to backyards and from fine-dining restaurants to lobster shacks; and

Whereas lobster is a staple on the menus of beloved restaurants across the United States and in kitchens across the United States as well, bringing families and friends

together: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) designates September 25, 2022, as ‘‘National Lobster Day’’; and

(2) encourages the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.