For the first time in Central America Caribbean, spiny lobster fishing will be banned from the region’s waters during the species’ reproductive season, raising hopes for more responsible fishing practices in the region.
Of all the fishing resources in this region, spiny lobster is the most important income source for a large number of coastal communities, especially as it fetches high market prices.
The species is intensively fished from Belize to Panama and compared with other sea food products, it is considered a high valued dish. Both market demand and prices are ‘high end’, fuelling its overexploitation.
Lobster fishery has been the backbone of the fishing economy in Central America for over 100 years, but recently the dwindling catch has worried both the government and fishermen.
“WWF celebrates this first regional closed season and is proud to have been part of this joint effort’ said Bessy Aspra, WWF Fisheries Officer.
“This regional closed season is an important step for the protection of the most valuable fishing resource in the region, but it is also a clear sign of the regional and national commitment with the conservation of marine ecosystems.”
The ban will be in place from the beginning of March until the end of June.
