Lobster Training presented by the Department of Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture

1. Hotel and Restaurant
Lobster Training 2015
By : Department of Fisheries

2. Overview of the Lobster Fishery
Spiny Lobster is an important fisheries
component and the single most valuable
fisheries specie in many of the islands of the
Caribbean (including St. Lucia).

3. In Saint Lucia, the lobster fishery is very
important:
provides employment for many fishers,
particularly during the low season
provides a seafood of choice for local hotels
and restaurants

4. Red Banded Lobster
Slipper Lobster
“Sapat”
Four Lobster Species

5. Spiny Lobster
“Homa”
Spotted Lobster
“Gwi Gwi”
Most
common

6. Lobster Landing and Value
Year Weight (tons) Ex-Vessel Price
2004 10.6 $416,532.71
2005 15.34 $593,301.28
2006 9.36 $381,695.90
2007 12.66 $497,728.27
2008 12.64 491,049.15
2009 9.63 389,093.96
2010 19.2 $770,149.84
2011 24.08 $984,989.85
2012 28.15 $1,178,063.94
2013 30.70 1248580.80
2014 25.39 1001479.66
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
10.6
15.34
9.36
12.66 12.64
9.63
19.2
24.08
28.15
30.70
25.39
Weight in(tons)

7. 0.00
200,000.00
400,000.00
600,000.00
800,000.00
1,000,000.00
1,200,000.00
1,400,000.00
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Value
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
10.6
15.34
9.36
12.66 12.64
9.63
19.2
24.08
28.15
30.70
25.39
Weight in(tons)

8. Lobster Season
CLOSED SEASON
March 1 – August 1
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
OPEN SEASON
August 2- Feb 29

9. Why should we respect Lobster
OPEN and CLOSE Seasons?
To ensure that the stock
is sustainably maintained
for livelihood, food
security and ecosystem
purposes

10. Know the LAW
According to Section 32 of the Fisheries
Regulations Cap 7.15 when the fishery is CLOSED
“it is illegal to fish for, remove from the fishery
waters, give, or at any time have in his or her
possession, expose for sale, sell or purchase any
lobsters or any part of the lobster when the
fishery is CLOSED”.

11. It is illegal to harm or at any time have in one’s
possession:
 any lobster that is undersized
 any lobster carrying eggs
 any lobster which is moulting
 Sell any lobster that has been speared or
hooked
 Remove eggs from a lobster

12. What Purchasers NEED to KNOW
during lobster Open and Closed
Season
Your actions would ensure a
sustained and productive
lobster fishery.

13. CLOSED SEASON
MARCH 1 to AUGUST 1

14. Establishments engaged in the sale and trade of
lobsters shall:
 Declare all lobster stocks to the DOF by the last
day of the open season
 Utilize all lobsters within one month BEFORE
close season
IMPORTANT!!
 Conditions for the importation of Lobster
MUST be approved by DOF

15. Conditions for Importation
• Lobsters must be landed whole
• Species name must be stated on the label
(cannot be the Caribbean spiny lobster )
• Must be served whole (during the closed
season)
• Caribbean Spiny Lobster should NOT be
advertised for sale (e.g. Northern Atlantic ,
American Lobster)

17. OPEN SEASON
AUGUST 2 to FEBRUARY 29

18. DO NOT Purchase Lobsters
• That have Eggs
• That are moutling
• With a carapace length
less that 9.5cm
• Have signs of it being
hooked or spared.
• Outside Closed Season

19. Importation of Lobsters
• Lobsters imported whole, MUST be 9.5cm or
MORE.
• Permission must be sought from the DOF
BEFORE importation of Lobsters.
• Not advised however, if imported lobster TAIL
must be 12 oz or 340g or MORE.

20. How to Measure
What you need:
– Caliper
– Ruler

21. Contact the Department of Fisheries at Tel. 468 – 4143/ 4147 for more information

22. Have you declared?

23. A healthy lobster fishery depends
on…
making informed decisons
For wise management,
WE must each play our part:
lobster fishers, cooperatives, purchasers,
the DOF & law enforcement officers

24. THANK YOU !!!
QUESTIONS?
By : Department of Fisheries