**Antigua and Barbuda Issues Warning Ahead of Caribbean Spiny Lobster Closed Season**
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Antigua and Barbuda’s Fisheries Division has issued a stern warning to seafood enthusiasts and stakeholders as the closed season for Caribbean spiny lobster approaches.
The season, spanning from May 1st to June 30th, is notably shorter than the recommended four-month closure advised by the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC 16/2016/2).
According to regional agreements such as the OECS Model Harmonized Fisheries Legislation and the St. George’s Declaration on Spiny Lobster, the closed season is vital for conservation, as it coincides with the lobster’s peak spawning period.
“It is illegal for a person to fish for, take, place for sale, purchase, or possess any Caribbean spiny lobster during the closed season,” emphasized Ian Horsford, Chief Fisheries Officer of Antigua and Barbuda.
This regulation extends to all sectors, including hotels, street vendors, and restaurants, who are urged to deplete their lobster inventory before the season commences.
To ensure compliance, the Fisheries Division and the ABDF Coast Guard have provided contact information for reporting violations.
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Individuals can reach the Fisheries Division at 462-1372 or 462-6106, via email at [email protected] or [email protected], and the ABDF Coast Guard at 462-3206 or 462-2841.
Horsford reiterated that all information provided will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
Offenders found violating the closed season regulations face fines up to fifty thousand dollars upon summary conviction under the Fisheries Regulations 2013.
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We as a nation and as a community must respect the closed season. We too must not purchase any fish/crustacean that is on the closed season list. If we don’t buy during the closed season then there will be no demand. Also, we must extend the closed season to be in line with the international standard. It is imperative that we do not deplete our oceans. Humans are way too greedy and this will lead to our demise as a species.