BELMOPAN, Fri. Feb. 12, 2021– The Government of Belize has decided to extend the closing date for the Caribbean spiny lobster season. On February 11, the Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation announced that the closure of the season would take effect on February 15. A subsequent release, however, pushed back this date to February 28, 2021.

Fishermen and women will get a much needed extra two weeks to harvest lobsters and generate income during the lobster season for this year. According to the Government press release, the decision is in line with the regional lobster regulation (OSP-02-09) implemented by the Organization for Central American Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector (OSPESCA).

The release states, “The decision made by Hon. Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, in consultation with the Fisheries Department and the industry, is in accordance with the Fisheries Regulation 24A (1). The closed season for spiny lobster will now be from March 1st to June 30th in any year.”

Persons found in possession of lobsters after the effective date of closure will be prosecuted as mandated by the Fisheries Regulations.

“The Fisheries Department also reminds fishers that lobster traps should be removed from fishing grounds during the closed season. The Department will be actively enforcing the removal of traps from the waters during this period,” the release states.