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THE LOBSTER SEASON RE-OPENS - SEPTEMBER Ist, 2002
Fishermen, hoteliers, restaurateurs and members of the public should be preparing for the beginning of the lobster-fishing period: September 1st, 2002. For
the past four months, local lobster populations have been protected from all exploitation, with the annual close period in place between May 1st and August 31st.
As in many other Caribbean countries with such a valuable marine resource, St. Lucia maintains a close season in order to give lobster populations some
period of protection each year where breeding activity can continue without interference from fishing activities. Such periods are an important means of managing fisheries resources on a sustainable basis.
The Department of Fisheries has recently completed a three-year study on the status of local lobster populations. Results indicate that:
- The level of fishing effort is very high and careful management is required to prevent collapse of this marine resource.
- The current close period offers some level of protection for breeding females.
- Significant proportions of lobster below the minimum size are being captured, which means that such
individuals have not contributed significantly to the continuity of the lobster population.
- The fishery comprises mainly individuals in the 90 mm - 110 mm size class, possibly due to the larger individuals having already been removed from the
local population by heavy fishing in the past.
Given that the local lobster resource is being heavily fished, largely as a result of high demand placed on it by an expanding tourism sector, it has become
critical that the close period and other important management measures gain the firm support of all parties concerned. Fishers must desist from landing lobsters during the close period and ensure that all lobsters
they bring ashore meet the required size limit (i.e., a carapace length of at least 9.5 cm); that they do not have eggs; that they are not speared or in the process of moulting (shedding their external skeleton).
However, much of the responsibility for resource management lies with all of us as lobster consumers: the hotels, restaurants, vendors, fish marketing establishments and members of the general public. All purchasers must be aware that it is illegal to buy undersized, berried (egg-carrying) or speared lobsters.
Establishments purchasing lobsters must inspect what they buy and measure all lobsters to ensure they each meet the 9.5 cm carapace length criterion.
Every year, the Department of Fisheries sends out letters to major purchasers (hotels and restaurants) reminding them of their obligations under the
Fisheries Regulations. Illustrations are always provided to indicate the procedure of measuring lobsters to verify that they are above the size limit. However, several establishments are found with sub-legal,
speared or berried lobsters. These are offences, and they carry a penalty of up to $5000.00.
Bulk purchasers must inspect each lobster individually at the time of purchase, for this is the only way to ensure that none has eggs and that small ones do in fact pass the size limit.
Demand for the lobster product is great and continues to grow.
It must be recognized that the resource base has its limitations, for the local supply may not always be able to meet demand. For sustainability of this
fishery, it is crucial that all persons, both fishermen and purchasers, adhere to the Fisheries Regulations with regard to lobsters, so as to obtain a continuous supply of this important source of seafood and to
preserve lobster fishing as a viable livelihood.
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