Kvitsøy Lobsters

We ventured out to check on the lobster and fish traps with Lise`s father and grandfather. I had never heard of a fish trap, but they are a mess of netting that are used like lobster traps to catch cod. It was a beautiful day. Sure it was somewhat cold, but to be out in an ancient open-bowed, wooden boat in the North Sea, almost in December means it is a good day. I have spent my entire life living about as far away from an ocean as possible- anywhere on the planet. I need to make up for lost time.

I do not know how Lise`s grandfather remembers where he places the traps. They are marked by floating "footballs," but everyone has traps out, and they all look the same, as far as I can tell. Each rock formation along the shore looks the same. He keeps moving the traps after we check each one. I really don't understand how he does it.

We found a bunch of small crabs in the traps, but this time of year they are not very good to eat. Apparently they are very watery. None of the lobster traps had lobster, but one of the fish traps did- which is somewhat strange since the fish traps use no bait. Anyway, it was longer than the minimum 25cm, so he kept it. It will live in a live well with four other lobsters until it is eaten.

Tonight we will be eating lobster- not the ones in the live well. It will be served at the party at the KIL. It is the 60th Anniversary of the Kvitsøy Idrettslag. It should be fun. I have met many of the people before on other visits. Many of them actually start speaking English after they warm up with something to drink.