The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Fisheries Division, is advising all fishing interests and the general public that the 2007 lobster season is officially closed between April 1 and June 30.

During this time, persons are prohibited from capturing lobsters as outlined in the Fishing Industry Act of 1975 (Section 19).

As a result of the restriction, all persons expecting to have lobsters in storage after March are required to inform the Fisheries Division in writing, no later than April 5 of the quantity of lobsters or lobster meat in their possession.

It is also illegal to capture, destroy or to have in your possession 'Spiny' lobsters that are pregnant and 'berried lobsters' (those with eggs), as well as lobsters that are undersize (those having a 'carapace'/head and trunk length below 7.62 cm or three inches). This particular regulation is in effect all year round, and is not restricted to the closed season.