Belmopan. July 1, 2021. 6:05 p.m.
The Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation today celebrates the opening of the 2021/2022 Spiny Lobster season, which in accordance with the Fisheries regulation 24A (1), runs from July 1 to February 28 of any year.
“We celebrate our blue economy… our fishing industry… our fisherfolks and our marine natural heritage as a continuing strong foundation for our national development and securing a quality of life for our people. At the Ministry, we join this economic sector alongside our linkage sectors like tourism and agriculture and work aggressively for the economic prosperity of our country,” said Hon. Abner Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy & Civil Aviation, as he wished all fishers a successful season.
In 2020, a total of 2,257,673 pounds of live weight was produced for the 2020-2021 lobster fishing season. The approximate export value for 2020-2021 lobster fishing season is US$12.5 million. This data represents: –
- 677,490 pounds spiny lobster tail
- 26,941.40 pounds lobster head meat
- 225,203.30 pounds of whole lobster
Belize’s blue economy is life and livelihood for our people, many of our communities and the well-being and development of our overall national economy. The ministry, therefore, reminds all fishers to adhere to the legally mandated regulations for the Spiny Lobster, which specifically ensure the sustainability of Belize’s fishery sector. The public is advised of the following regulations which relates to the Spiny Lobster in Belize:
- No person shall take in the waters of Belize or buy, sell or have in his possession crawfish: –
- if the cape length is longer than three inches or tail weight is less than four ounces:
- that is berried, has eggs or spawn;
- that has had the berries, eggs or spawn removed;
- that is moulting or has soft shell;
- fillet or diced lobster tail meat, except under a special permit issued by the Fisheries Administrator.
- Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-regulation (1) above-
- crawfish with a cape length of less than three inches may be taken in the waters of Belize for aquaculture purposes under license granted by the Minister;
- crawfish that is berried (has eggs) may be taken in waters of Belize for aquaculture purposes under a special license granted by the Minister.
The Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation wishes all fisherfolks and fishing communities a productive season.
Ends
