The United States lobster trade with China is growing rapidly, especially for a species called the spiny lobster that is harvested in the Florida Keys.

"China has upended the supply chain for lobster," said John Sackton, editor and publisher of US-based SeafoodNews.

"The Chinese prefer the spiny lobster over its better-known brethren, the North American or Maine lobster. Part of the reason is cultural. The Chinese think of a spiny lobster as similar to a dragon prawn and the dragon is a very powerful symbol in China."