Government of Jamaica
The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is advising the public that the annual Close Season for all Spiny Lobster begins on April 1, 2025 and ends on June 30, 2025. Fishing for any type of lobster during the close season is illegal, as the period is critical to the sustainable development of the lobster fishery, allowing them to reproduce and repopulate without being threatened.
A statement issued by the authority said that the confinement of any lobster in a holding device underwater is also illegal.
“Except where a spiny lobster is unintentionally caught after naturally entering fishing gear during active fishing, it should be immediately returned to sea. If you have spiny lobster within your possession at the start of the close season, a declaration is to be made to the authority within seven days, that is, on or by April 7, 2025, to declare such,” the NFA said.
The declaration for possession of spiny lobsters shall include the quantity (kilograms), description (whole lobster, lobster within your possession at the start of the close season, a declaration is to be made to the authority within seven days, that is, on or by April 7, 2025, to declare such,” the NFA said.
The declaration for possession of spiny lobsters shall include the quantity (kilograms), description (whole lobster, lobster tail, head meat, etc.) and the address where the spiny lobster and/or products will be stored and/or used. After receiving a certificate of declaration from the authority, the spiny lobster may be stored, processed, sold locally or exported up to and by April 21, 2025.
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$3 MILLION FINE
The NFA is warning that any person or entity that intends to store or export spiny lobster after the first 21 days of the close season, must submit a request to the authority on or by April 15, 2025.
“The request must state the description of the lobster being stored (whole, tail, head meat etc.), a statement of intent that the lobster or its products will be stored or exported and the name and address of the intended approved storage facility and any applicable export licence certificate,” the agency outlined. Any person or entity found in breach of the laws relating to the lobster close season is liable to be prosecuted in a court of law for up to a maximum fine of $3 million or two years’ imprisonment, and any lobster in their possession may be seized.
Declarations and requests for storage should be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer, National Fisheries Authority, 2C Newport East, PO Box 470, Kingston 11, Jamaica, WI.