Chipped shells are acceptable, but cracked lobsters are damaged and will be leaking fluid, says Clark. It still may be edible, says Clark. He claims you can cook and eat a lobster up to 15 hours after it has died, provided it has been kept packed in ice or refrigerated. When lobster meat is no good, the tail flops loose. Peak lobster season is May through to the beginning of July.
Prices are at their lowest, and the lobster's meat is full and firm inside the shell.