AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums About Belize Nature Lobster season ends Feb. 14

It's the last few days of Lobster season and a reminder that it is not lawful to eat or have it stored in your freezer after the 14th. So if you are hoarding for off season, eat it this week.

Lobster Season officially ends on Saturday, February 15th and re-opens on June 15th, 2020. It is unlawful and illegal to store or keep any after the 15th of February, 2020

And that is why (excuse the shameless plug) Black Orchid Restaurant & Casa Picasso will be offering a Lobster Special for Valentine's Day Friday February 14th .... Seating is limited so please call for reservation....

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].

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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.

More in the San Pedro Sun

Where do our Lobster Fishermen go during Closed Season?

Every February 15th, I get to wondering what lobster fishermen get up to during the closed season. Lobsters need to go on honeymoon for a bit, so they can make more delicious babies for years to come. That means no lobster fishing, and it means my mind wonders what these fishermen are up to during the off season.

I mean, I think I have an idea:

*cleaning, fixing and upgrading their traps
*sorting their gear
*meeting with clients and figuring out their next season's requests
*working on their new season's fishing outfits (I hear a little dazzle and glitter never hurt)
*perfecting their lobster BBQ recipe
*nap (often)
*meet up with their fishermen friends and have a cold one at Cholo's�

Click here to read the rest of the article in the My Beautiful Belize Blog