About Unagi – Luke's Lobster

ABOUT AMERICAN UNAGI

We’re excited to collaborate with the country’s only glass eel farm, Maine-based American Unagi, to bring smoked eel to Luke’s Online Market. The smoked eel fillets are sold in four 4oz flash-frozen fillets for easy portioning. American Unagi sources exclusively from Maine's well-managed fishery and raises their eels in land-based aquaculture systems here in Maine. This eel is hot smoked using a traditional European recipe of oak and alder wood. The high natural fat content of the eels, paired with a salt brine and rich smoke flavor, creates a savory, delicate and versatile product.

Included in each order are four 4oz smoked eel fillets

Enjoy flash-frozen, Maine smoked eel fillets shipped anywhere in the US!

Recipes

The high natural fat content of the eels, paired with a salt brine and rich smoke flavor, creates a savory, delicate and versatile product. It can really be used as a substitute for any other type of smoked fish. The eel we sell is smoked and ready-to-eat after thawing!

Check out some of our recipes here:

Smoked Eel Bagel Spread

Smoked Eel Caesar Salad

Smoked Eel Dip

Smoked Eel Charcuterie Board

Smoked Eel Carbonara

box filled with many luke's lobster products

STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE

When you receive your ready-to-eat smoked eel fillets, store in freezer. When you are ready-to-eat them, thaw under refrigeration until fully thawed (approximately 16 hours) before preparing. 

All of our flash-frozen products will arrive frozen, shipped in our 100% recyclable shipping boxes, via UPS. For more information on shipping, visit our FAQ here.

Sara Rademaker holding an eel.

SUSTAINABILITY

American Unagi eels are sourced exclusively from Maine's well-managed fishery, raised in land-based aquaculture systems, and are fed a high quality diet with the use of hormones or antibiotics. It is a safe, traceable, and ultimately, more sustainable eel choice than what exists on the market. Other American eel providers often export their products to Asia where they are raised in unknown conditions with questionable additives. By supporting American Unagi's product you are not only supporting a well-managed glass eel fishery but getting a product that is truly traceable and sustainable. Maine's glass eel quota is set at 9,688 pounds to ensure the species stability and protection. State legislation in 2014 established an elver transaction “swipe” card system and dealer reporting of elver weight and price monitored by the Department of Marine Resources to ensure the state does not exceed its quota. 

A Maine tidal stream

ABOUT THE GLASS EEL FISHERY

American eels spend most of their life in freshwater but migrate to the ocean, specifically the Sargasso Sea, to reproduce. The juveniles, known as glass eels or elvers, then find their way into tidal streams along the Atlantic coast where American Unagi harvest them in fine mesh nets to bring them to their land-based aquaculture tanks where they grow into eels. The glass eel fishery is open from March-June.

a horbor

ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ISLAND INSTITUTE

The Island Institute and Luke’s Lobster have formed a strategic partnership to build resilience in the seafood supply chain and provide opportunities for Maine’s fishermen and aquaculturists. The joint endeavor between Luke’s Lobster and the Island Institute is a continuation of a longstanding collaboration; for years, these two entities have worked to strengthen Maine’s coastal economies, partnering with fishermen and community leaders to improve resilience along the shore.

Listen to an interview with American Unagi founder and president Sara Rademaker  in the fifth episode, of From the Sea Up brought to you by Island Institute.


INGREDIENTS AND NUTRITION

Ingredients: American eel, salt, woodsmoke. 

Total Package Net Weight: 16oz

Ready to Eat.

Keep Frozen. Thaw under refrigeration below 38F. Puncture bag. 

Product of USA

Eel is higher in fat and calories but lower in omega-2 fatty acids than other seafood choices. Eel is high in vitamin A.