THE FISHERIES Division in the Ministry of Agriculture and Land is reminding the public that the closed season for lobster is still in effect until June 30. This prohibits the catching, buying or selling of fresh-landed lobsters.
Data manager in the Fisheries Division, June Masters, said that it was against the law to catch, buy, sell or trade fresh-landed lobsters during this time and it was also illegal to catch berried (with eggs) or undersize lobsters throughout the year.
PENALTIES
She pointed out that breaches of the law would incur penalties ranging from a fine of $1,000 to 12 months in prison.
"We have found that during the closed season, people are mostly caught with undersize and berried lobsters, and those are the people who go to jail," she said.
Fishermen, restaurants, supermarkets and businesses with lobsters in their possession before the closed season began in April should have notified the Fisheries Division, at which time an officer would inspect and declare the amount in stock. Possession without declaration is prohibited.
