Mauro Gongora, Fisheries Officer
"The laws that govern the lobster fishery is that we have a minimum carcass length of 3 inches and we have a minimum tail weight of 4 ounces, and we have another law which says that no fisherman should have in his possession fillet or tied lobster tail meat. Last year we had just under 420,000 pounds of lobster tail, produced most of this is exported to the United States. We have an ongoing educational program throughout the primary schools, particularly in the coastal communities, but we also work very closely with the Fishing cooperatives. At the Fishing Cooperative we would have posters saying what are the laws and regulations for the lobster fisheries. There is a fine of $500.00 for the offence for violating the Fisheries Law . In terms of having undersized lobster, there is a minimum fine of anything between $20.00 to $30.00 per lobster tail. That is, of course, left to the discretion of the magistrate in court."
Gongora says that the price of lobster os significantly lower than it was a few years ago, and for this reason he urges the fishing community to help ensure that this fishery is sustainable.
LoveFM
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Lobster Season officially opened today with fishermen heading out as early as possible to catch the most lobster on the first day. But the rainy day definitely posed a problem for the fishermen, making the waters murky and decreasing visibility, and making the lobsters run away for shelter. We checked at the fishing co-operative and the official count was very low - only about 150lbs was recorded at the end of the day. At only $16 per pound for lobster tails at the co-operative, fishermen are looking elsewhere to get top dollar for the prized lobster tails. Some resorts are shelling out about $25 per pound of lobster tail.
Ambergris Today