Closure of the Lobster Fishing Season The Fisheries Department takes this opportunity to inform fishers and the public that the lobster season will be closed on February 15th and it will remain closed until midnight of June 14th, 2020.
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 Fisheries Department also reminds fishers that lobster traps should be removed from fishing grounds during the closed fishing season. The Department will be actively enforcing the removal of traps from the waters during this period.
The public is advised to report any illegal fisheries activity by calling telephone number: 224-4552/203-2623 or by email: fisheries
[email protected] ==========
San Pedro resident and fisherman Billy Melgar has been actively fishing for three years and said he felt this season wasn’t as good as the previous one. He told The San Pedro Sun that his catches were not as abundant as in previous seasons and believes this is a result of illegal fishing done during the closed season. He further stated that the closed season should be longer as a proposed solution. Jair, another fisherman, said he experienced a similar decrease in the catch, but he personally felt like enforcement was strict, as he and his colleagues have seen the consequences imposed rather quickly on lawbreakers. They said they adhere to the regulations as it’s beneficial for the entire fishing community.
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