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Starting from the 1st of March through to the 30th of June, there is a complete ban on lobster fishing throughout the Dominican Republic, as well as across the Caribbean and Central America – to help protect this endangered species.
Since the Dominican Republic’s Government has banned all residents and visitors from fishing lobster in the country from March 1st until June 30th, we think it is important to ask you not to buy them during possible trips to Palmilla (a wonderful location nearby Casa de Campo) or during your visit to any of the beaches or seafood restaurants in the Dominican Republic (or at least make sure that these are imported). You may ask why?
The ban has been applied in order to preserve this species, which for the last few years has been in great danger due to over-fishing. The lobster ban has been implemented after the Dominican Republic joined, along with Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, the Central American Integration System (SICA) and after all of these countries signed a treaty with the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector (OSPESCA), an organization based in Honduras that aims to raise awareness among Central American countries on the protection of this species.
Why now? The ban has been established between March 1st and June 30th because this is the time that lobsters located in the Caribbean and Central America are breeding. The ban has also been attributed to the fact that lobsters in the Dominican Republic show, according to the Dominican Government, “clear signs of overexploitation,” which has gradually caused a shortage of them in retail.
About the Lobster Ban
The first Lobster Ban applied in countries located in the Caribbean and Central America was first held in 2010, based on a regulation signed by the Governments of region countries on May 21st of the previous year (2009).
From March 1st to June 30th every year, the capture, processing, meat or mass possession and marketing of the spiny lobster, spotted spiny lobster, spiny rock lobster and spiny lobster mom are prohibited.
Not only does the ban contribute to preserving the species, but it also helps to improve it’s quality for exports.
Anyone that is found disrespecting the ban could be fined up to US$50,000 as well as jail sentences of up to 10 years.
So please remember not to fish or buy fresh lobsters in any of the seafood centers or beaches as a way of protecting them.
Local Dominican fisherman selling lobster at Palmilla