Lobster season 2015/2016 kicked off with a bang as Saturday, 15 August, saw the opening catch landed, for all islands, total to 55,607 pounds (lbs). Compared to 2014, catch landed this year was 20,701 lbs more during the first day of the open season.
“While it might be too early to tell how profitable this lobster season will be for the fishermen of the TCI, the increased landings on the opening day certainly bode well," said Dr. John Claydon, Director of the Department of Environment & Maritime Affairs (DEMA)
"DEMA would like to thank the fishermen for their high level of compliance with the regulations – it is only with their cooperation that we can maintain healthy fisheries in the TCI”
DEMA Officers were onsite to inspect catch as fishermen came into both the channel and plant and, officers were able to complete a boat patrol to ensure that any potential offenders were deterred from participating in illegal activities.
Restrictions relating to crawfish, as per the Fisheries Protection Ordinance, are listed below:
Crawfish size restrictions are as follows:
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 the 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/soft-shelled crawfish or crawfish in early stages of spawning (described as appearing ‘tar-spotted’); and
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.
DEMA appeals to citizens, residents and visitors in the Turks & Caicos Islands, to familiarise themselves with and to uphold the Fisheries Regulations, and urges all responsible citizens to call DEMA at 338 4170 or email