A four-month ban on fishing lobster in the Dominican Republic is in effect. Locals and tourists can make a difference in the conservation of the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) by doing their part and not consuming lobsters during the ban. The time span corresponds to the major spawning period of the lobster. The ban is regional, and is called for all lobster fishing in the Central American and Caribbean region from 1 March through 30 June 2018.
The measure is championed by the Dominican Republic that for the first half of this year holds the temporary presidency of the System for Central American Integration (SICA). It is the 9th year that SICA countries (Costa Rica, Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama together with the Dominican Republic jointly adopt the sustainable fishing measure.
The measure applies for the capture and marketing of spiny lobster species, Caribbean spiny (Panulirusargus), spotted spiny (Panulirus guttatus), slipper lobster (Schyllarides aequinoctialis) and mother lobster (Parribacus antarcticus)).
Violating the provision carries penalties and fines of up to US$50,000 and from two to ten years in prison.
The measure was regionally adopted in 2010 and the DR joined in 2012 to preserve the species from over-fishing and a decline in the lobster population. It coincides with the time that lobsters located in the Caribbean and Central America are reproducing.
Restaurants, fishmongers and supermarkets across the country with mass stock of lobster, live lobsters or in captivity, are obliged to inform the Dominican Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture (CODOPESCA) its existence and suspend the sale 5 days after the official announcement.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has called the measure an important step for the protection of the most valuable fishing resource in the region and a clear sign of the regional and national commitment with the conservation of the marine ecosystems.
Other annual fourth months bans are those protecting crabs (Cardisoma guanumi) from 1 December to 30 April, river crabs (Epilobocera haitensis) from 1 June through 30 September, conch (Strombus gigas) from 1 July to 31 October and lobster from 1 March to 30 August. Stores with inventories of locally sourced products need to notify the Codopesca for an authorization to sell these species.
6 March 2018
