MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ENVIRONEMNT, HERITAGE AND GAMING
Lobster season 2016/2017 kicked off on Monday, 15 August, with opening catch landed at processing plants in South Caicos and Providenciales totalling 43,206 pounds (lb), approximately 80% of the landings recorded for the first day of the open season in 2015.
“While the opening day was lower than last year, a number of boats brought back over 1000 lbs of lobster each which was good. However, it is too early to tell how the season will turn out this year, and there are mixed reports from fishermen about the quantity of lobsters out there and if the weather just before the start of the season has made it harder to catch them. This is something that will become clearer over the coming weeks” said Dr. John Claydon, Director of the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR)
DECR Officers have been inspecting catch as fishermen come into the plant and while at sea, and boat patrols have been conducted to deter illegal activities. However, the DECR fleet has been on stand-by to assist rescuing fishermen when needed.
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; or
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’); and
Fishers are to ensure that the crawfish are landed unharmed and whole after being taken and landed at processing plants or at home, unless processed at sea as per the terms of the processing license.
The DECR appeals to citizens, residents and visitors in the Turks & Caicos Islands, to familiarise themselves with and to uphold the Fisheries Regulations, and urges all responsible citizens to call DECR at 338 4170 or email environment@gov.tc to report any violations.
