Lobster season opens August 1

As the anticipated opening of lobster season draws close, the fisheries ministry is reminding fishing interests of the legal restrictions that are in place when fishing.

The season starts on Monday, August 1 and runs through to March 31, 2024.

There are six amended restrictions relating to crawfish, as per Section 15 of the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Ordinance 5 of 1941).

Crawfish size restrictions are as follows:

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When whole, a length of 3.25 inches measured from the front of the groove between the horns directly above the eyes, along the middle of the back to the rear edge of the back shell; or

When the tail has been separated, a tail weight of 5 ounces whether processed or not.

Fishers are not to be in possession of any egg-bearing crawfish.

Fishers are not to remove eggs from egg-bearing crawfish.

Fishers are not to take or be in possession of moulting / softshelled crawfish or crawfish in early stages of spawning (described as appearing ‘tar-spotted’).

Fishers are to ensure that the crawfish are landed unharmed and whole after being taken and landed at processing plants or at home, unless processed at sea as per the terms of the processing license.

The Department of Fisheries and Marine Resource Management appeals to citizens, residents and visitors in the Turks Caicos Islands, to familiarise themselves with and uphold the Fisheries Regulations.

Violations of the regulations can be reported to the department at 338 4171 or email fisheriesandmaritime@gov.tc.