DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Starting 1 March 2026, the annual legally-binding ban on the capture, processing, and commercialization of lobster and crab species officially takes effect, a critical conservation measure designed to safeguard the future of the region’s marine biodiversity.

The prohibition, which runs through 30 June 2026, is a coordinated regional effort to provide a window of safety for several key crustacean species during their peak reproductive season. In the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Codopesca) oversees the enforcement of this ban, aligning with international agreements like the OSP-02-09 regulation established by the Organization for Central American Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector (OSPESCA).

The effectiveness of the ban depends on consumer willingness to not order lobster and crab dishes in restaurants nor purchase these from...