Fishing interests, restaurants and the general public are reminded of the opening of Crawfish Season next month. As has been the case for the past four seasons, the Crawfish Season will open on 15th August. This has proven successful in reducing the quantity of egg-bearing lobsters landed, and is believed to have contributed to increased abundance and landings of crawfish. The last day of the Crawfish season will be 15th March, 2017.
“Last season the fishing community of the Turks and Caicos benefited from an increase in crawfish landings. This appears to be the result of the stock starting to rebuild, and as long as we continue to implement the measures we have in place we are confident that this rebuilding will continue to the benefit of fishermen and the environment alike,” said Dr John Claydon, Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) Director.
Hon. Porsha Stubbs-Smith, Minister of Tourism, Environment, Gaming, Culture and Heritage said: “I would like to remind all persons who participate on a daily basis this season, to fish responsibly. Remember, crawfish is a part of our culture and heritage and unless we are held accountable for our fishing during the season, we wont have it in the generations to come.”
Restrictions relating to crawfish, as per the Fisheries Protection Ordinance, are listed below:
Crawfish size restrictions are as follows:
When whole, a length of 3.25 inches measured from the front of the groove between the horns directly above the eyes, along the middle of the back to the rear edge of the back shell.
When the tail has been separated, a tail weight of 5 ounces whether processed or not.
Fishers are not to be in the possession of any egg-bearing crawfish.
Fishers are not to remove eggs from egg-bearing crawfish.
Fishers are not to take or be in possession of moulting / soft-shelled crawfish or crawfish in early stages of spawning (described as appearing ‘tar-spotted’)
Fishers are to ensure that the crawfish are landed unharmed (except for those taken by hook) and landed whole prior to being processed on land (at a processing plant or at home), unless processed at sea as per the terms of the processing license.
The use of any noxious substance (e.g. bleach, detergent, gasoline) for capturing any marine product is prohibited.
DECR appeals to citizens, residents and visitors in the Turks & Caicos Islands, to familiarise themselves with and to uphold the Fisheries Protection Regulations, and urges all responsible citizens to call DECR at 338 4170 or email environment@gov.tc to report any violations.
