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FISHERIES REGULATIONS
These are general regulations that apply to Fishing here in St. Lucia. These cover most commonly asked questions.
It is illegal for a non-national to fish in Saint Lucia waters without a permit from the Department of Fisheries.
It is illegal to conduct any marine research in Saint Lucia without permission from the Department of Fisheries.
It is required that all fishing vessels be registered and licensed with the Department of Fisheries. These vessels should have their registration number clearly printed in the dimensions stipulated by the Department of
Fisheries.
Vessels wishing to carry out sport or recreational fishing in St. Lucia waters need to apply for permission from
the Department of Fisheries.
Anyone wishing to set up a Scuba dive facility in Saint Lucia needs to apply for a permit from the Department
of Fisheries.
Any non-national wishing to dive in St. Lucian waters, needs to do so through a local dive operation, that is, it is
illegal for a non-national to dive without a licensed dive leader.
Anyone wishing to set up a fish-processing establishment in Saint Lucia needs to apply for a license from the
Department of Fisheries.
If someone wishes to export or import fish they need to apply for permission from the Department of Fisheries.
It is illegal to harm, give, receive from any one, or at any time have, expose for sale sell or buy:
- Undersized lobsters (carapace length less than 9.5 cm);
- Lobsters carrying eggs;
- Molting lobsters, that is lobsters changing their skin (Note: Lobsters are very soft to the touch when molting).
It is illegal to spear fish lobsters.
It is illegal to remove eggs from lobsters.
The open season for the lobster fishery extends from 01st September to 30th April of each year. It illegal,
therefore, to fish for lobster before or after this time.
In 1996 a moratorium was declared for the turtles and all their products. That is, it is illegal to fish, sell, own,
receive or buy turtle or turtle products.
It is illegal to take from Saint Lucia waters, sell, own, receive or buy any coral, sponges or marine algae.
It is illegal to fish for sea urchins without a permit from the Department of Fisheries.
It is illegal to hunt for whales/dolphins in enclosed bays and harbors.
It is illegal to fish for juvenile conch, that is conch without a flared lip. If you need to take conch or its
products out of Saint Lucia, contact the Department ofFisheries for the relevant permit.
It is illegal to take from Saint Lucia rivers, sell, receive or buy freshwater shrimp, locally known as "river crayfish".
It is illegal to disturb fishing activities. However, if a fish "pot" or other type of fishing gear is observed in a
marine reserve or any other illegal fishing activity is noted, please contact and inform the Department of Fisheries.
It is illegal to use a spear gun without permission from the Department of Fisheries. Please note that spear
fishing is reserved for local commercialfishermen, that is recreational spear fishing is illegal.
It is illegal for someone or a company to put any poison or other pollutant into rivers or the marine waters of Saint Lucia.
Some areas have been declared marine reserves to protect fish nursery and spawning grounds. In order to
enter such an area, one needs to get permission from the Department of Fisheries. In the case of Soufriere, permission can be sought from the Soufriere Marine Management Area Office.
Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any of these regulations shall be liable to a fine up to five
thousand dollars
Note:All these laws are designed to protect Saint Lucia’s marine environment and to ensure that these
resources are always available for present and future generations.
For more detailed information, please contact the Department of Fisheries. The two main bodies of legislation are:
Fisheries Act of St. Lucia (Statutory Instrument No. 10 of 1984)
Fisheries Regulations of St. Lucia (Statutory Instrument No. 9 of 1994)
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