The Belize Fisheries Department reminds the public that the Spiny Lobster (Palinuridae) lobster season officially closes on Wednesday, February 15th, and resumes on June 15th.
During the closed season, the Department informs all fishermen and the general public that it is illegal to purchase, receive or possess lobsters. Any person found in possession of lobster during the said closed season will be prosecuted in accordance with Section 3(1) (b) of the Fisheries Regulation, Chapter 210 of the Subsidiary Laws of Belize Revised Edition 2000-2003.
The Department has reported a stable 2016-2017 season, and reminds fishers that lobster traps, drums, and shades should be removed from fishing grounds during the closed fishing season. During this period the Department will be actively enforcing the removal of illegal traps from the waters. Officials will also be visiting fishing camps and coastal fishing communities to take stock of lobster traps owned by individual fishers and to facilitate the registration of traps.
The four month closed season is prime spawning and breeding time for the Spiny Lobster. In addition, during this time Fisheries Department will also be conducting studies on population dynamics of the Spiny Lobster.
The Fisheries Department makes a special appeal to fishers and the public to uphold the Fisheries Regulations in regards to lobster and other marine products, and urges all responsible citizens to call the Department at 224-4552 or 223-2623 to report any infractions or the public can contact Crime Stoppers Belize at 0-800-922-TIPS (8477). The Department can also be reached at e-mail: [email protected]. The public is assured that all information communicated to the Fisheries Department will be treated with the highest confidentiality.
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