The Lobster Trap Company
The Lobster Trap Company, founded in 2017 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, manufactures the LasTrap — a modular plastic lobster trap made from recycled fishing rope and plastic — and sells it to commercial lobster fishermen across Atlantic Canada and the US East Coast.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersYarmouth, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What The Lobster Trap Company does
The Lobster Trap Company is a Nova Scotia-based hardware manufacturer that produces the LasTrap, a plastic lobster trap built from a proprietary blend of recycled fishing rope and plastic. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Yarmouth, the company sells modular trap configurations (single, dual, triple, and quad parlor) with interchangeable parts, targeting commercial lobster fishermen in Atlantic Canada and the US East Coast.
The company commercialized its product following multi-year R&D, including material validation through Dalhousie University and in-field testing with Memorial University. Regulatory clearances from Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) under a Scientific/Experimental License and from NOAA enable sales across both Canadian and US fisheries. Patents covering the design and material composition have been filed and remain pending.
Revenue is generated through direct hardware sales to individual commercial fishermen, supplemented by a distribution partnership with the Fishing Vessel Owners Association West Coast. The company offers international shipping and operates a recycling rebate program that credits customers for returning used traps. Total disclosed funding is $25,000 from Innovacorp in 2018, and commercial order-taking began in 2019, indicating the business is at an early commercial stage with limited operational scale relative to the broader North Atlantic lobster fishery.
The Lobster Trap Company firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Lobster Trap Company
- Legal name
- The Lobster Trap Company Ltd
- Website
- https://thelobstertrapcompany.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Lobster Trap Company, founded in 2017 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, manufactures the LasTrap — a modular plastic lobster trap made from recycled fishing rope and plastic — and sells it to commercial lobster fishermen across Atlantic Canada and the US East Coast.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Lobster Trap Company industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Fishing Equipment
- NAICS
- Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (31171), Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (3117)
- SIC
- Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Miscellaneous Plastics Products (3080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fishing Vessels (Trawlers, Longliners, Purse Seiners) (IMAJADAE)
Keywords
Where The Lobster Trap Company is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Yarmouth
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Lobster Trap Company business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Plastic Lobster Trap Sales: One-time hardware sales of custom-built plastic lobster traps (LasTrap) to commercial lobster fishermen. Traps are manufactured to customer specifications and shipped throughout the Maritimes (Canada), Eastern Seaboard (USA), and internationally. The company also offers a recycling rebate program where fishermen can return used traps for credit toward new purchases.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Custom-built traps to fisherman specifications |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
The Lobster Trap Company product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Lobster Trap Company designs, manufactures, and sells the LasTrap — a patented, custom-built plastic lobster trap engineered from proprietary high-grade injection-molded plastic with traditional netting internals. The trap targets commercial lobster fishermen in Atlantic Canada and the US Eastern Seaboard and is offered in multiple configurations (Single Parlour, Double Parlour, Double Ender, Off-Set Entrances, 3-Fish-Way) built to each fisherman's specifications. The company also operates a recycling rebate program that accepts used traps for credit toward new purchases.
Product overview
The Lobster Trap Company offers a single unified product: the LasTrap, an innovative plastic lobster trap designed for the Atlantic Provinces of Canada and the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. The LasTrap is a custom-built trap available in multiple configurations (Single Parlour, Double Parlour, Double Ender, Off-Set Entrances, and 3-Fish-Way option) to meet regional fishing preferences. The product is manufactured in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and ships throughout the Maritimes, Eastern Seaboard, and internationally. A recycling rebate program is offered for returned used traps.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LasTrap: The 21st Century Lobster Trap - an innovative plastic lobster trap product line featuring self-righting capability, stackability, and recyclable materials.
Products and services
- LasTrap Plastic Lobster Trap A patented, custom-built plastic lobster trap manufactured from proprietary high-grade injection-molded plastic with traditional netting internals (heads and funnels), engineered for commercial lobster fishermen operating in Atlantic Canada and the US Eastern Seaboard. Features include self-righting capability, stackable/nestable design, lower center of gravity, seal-proof latches, ballast-weight accommodation, recyclability, and configurable entrance styles (Single Parlour, Double Parlour, Double Ender, Off-Set Entrances, 3-Fish-Way). Meets or exceeds NOAA (US) and DFO (Canada) regulations, including two escape openings where one is required.
Quantifiable outcome
- Minimum 10-year lifespan under normal use, potentially 20 years with proper care - doubling the lifespan of traditional wire traps
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Lobster Trap Company
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Lobster Trap Company technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature10 records
The Lobster Trap Company partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Dalhousie University - Department of Mechanical EngineeringcoreFirst collaborated with The Lobster Trap Company in 2017 with support from Nova Scotia Business Inc's Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program. Dalhousie undertook a design review of the plastic lobster trap with focus on design optimization for injection molding process. Performed plastic flow analysis of key components and general design review for weight/wall thickness. Produced rapid prototypes to demonstrate potential design changes. This collaboration provided significant advantages through design optimization for injection molding.
- Memorial University - Fisheries and Marine InstitutecoreConducted small-scale pilot study to compare catching performance of LasTrap against traditional wire traps in Newfoundland waters. Provided marine biologist oversight and conducted flume tank testing (largest in the world) to test trap behavior in various launch positions (upright, side, end, upside-down). Introduced dye into water to highlight bait flume and water flow through trap. Filmed all scenarios demonstrating self-righting capability.
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) CanadacoreIssued Scientific/Experimental Lobster Fishing Licence for field-testing, providing full support for the company's initial field testing program in 2017. This regulatory partnership enabled like-for-like testing comparing plastic traps to wire traps in real fishing conditions.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Lobster Trap Company competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Pure Fishing: One of the largest global fishing tackle and gear companies, with a broad portfolio spanning freshwater, saltwater, and commercial-adjacent gear. Comparable to The Lobster Trap Company as a scaled fishing-equipment manufacturer, but Pure Fishing does not specialize in lobster traps.
- Shimano: Global leader in fishing tackle, reels, and rods with deep commercial-fishing adjacencies. Comparable as a large, branded fishing-gear incumbent with the engineering and distribution scale that The Lobster Trap Company lacks, though Shimano does not produce lobster traps.
- Rapala VMC: Publicly listed fishing tackle and lure company with worldwide distribution. Comparable as a fishing-gear incumbent that could expand into traps, but its core focus is recreational rather than commercial lobster gear.
- Akva Group: Norwegian public company supplying equipment and technology to the global aquaculture and commercial fishing industries. Comparable as a specialized commercial-marine equipment manufacturer serving protein-harvesting fleets, with a similar product-plus-services model.
- Steinsvik Group: Norwegian supplier of equipment and technology to commercial fisheries and aquaculture. Comparable as an established commercial-fishing gear specialist; serves as a relevant incumbent benchmark for The Lobster Trap Company's go-to-market in Europe.
Direct peers
- Garware Technical Fibres: Indian manufacturer of technical textiles and netting used in commercial fishing, aquaculture, and marine applications. Directly comparable as a supplier of innovative fiber-based and polymer-based components into commercial fishing gear supply chains.
- Hampidjan: Icelandic manufacturer of advanced ropes, netting, and trawl gear for commercial fisheries. Directly comparable as an innovative commercial-fishing-gear manufacturer selling into harsh-environment fleets, similar to The Lobster Trap Company's Atlantic-lobster customer base.
- Grundéns: US-based supplier of commercial fishing gear, apparel, and protective equipment. Directly comparable as a commercial-fishing-focused gear company with a similar SMB fisherman customer base in North America.
- Mustad Autoline: Norwegian manufacturer of fishing hooks, autoline systems, and commercial fishing gear used in wild-capture fisheries. Comparable as a long-standing commercial-fishing equipment manufacturer with global reach, though Mustad's focus is hooks and lines rather than traps.
Emerging players
- Fusion Marine: UK-based designer and manufacturer of plastic and composite products for the marine and aquaculture industries. Comparable as a plastics-engineering specialist serving commercial marine customers, with a similar focus on durable, lightweight polymer products.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Lobster Trap Company social profiles
Digital presenceThe Lobster Trap Company compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Lobster Trap Company financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Lobster Trap Company leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Lobster Trap Company funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Lobster Trap Company M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Lobster Trap Company
What does The Lobster Trap Company do?
The Lobster Trap Company designs, manufactures, and sells the LasTrap — a patented, custom-built plastic lobster trap engineered from proprietary high-grade injection-molded plastic with traditional netting internals. The trap targets commercial lobster fishermen in Atlantic Canada and the US Eastern Seaboard and is offered in multiple configurations (Single Parlour, Double Parlour, Double Ender, Off-Set Entrances, 3-Fish-Way) built to each fisherman's specifications. The company also operates a recycling rebate program that accepts used traps for credit toward new purchases.
Is The Lobster Trap Company a public or private company?
The Lobster Trap Company is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Lobster Trap Company founded?
The Lobster Trap Company was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Lobster Trap Company based?
The Lobster Trap Company is headquartered in Yarmouth, Canada, in the North America region.
How does The Lobster Trap Company make money?
One revenue line is on record: plastic Lobster Trap Sales.
Who are The Lobster Trap Company's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Pure Fishing, Shimano, Rapala VMC, Akva Group and Steinsvik Group. Direct peers are Garware Technical Fibres, Hampidjan, Grundéns and Mustad Autoline. Fusion Marine is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Lobster Trap Company have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Lobster Trap Company.
What industry is The Lobster Trap Company in?
The Lobster Trap Company's product category is Commercial Fishing Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJADAE, Fishing Vessels (Trawlers, Longliners, Purse Seiners). Its NAICS code is 31171 and its SIC code is 3730.