THE annual closed season for all spiny lobsters begins today and ends on June 30.

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has reminded the public that during the closed season fishing for any type of lobster is illegal, as the period is critical to the sustainable development of the lobster fishery, allowing them to reproduce and repopulate without being threatened.

The NFA has also underscored that the confinement of any lobster in a holding device underwater is also illegal.

“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 closed season, a declaration is to be made to the authority within seven days, that is, on or by April 7,” said NFA in a media release.

The NFA pointed out that the declaration for possession of spiny lobsters should 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,” said the NFA.

It has also warned that any person or entity that intends to store or export spiny lobster after the first 21 days of the closed season must submit a request to the authority on or by April 15.

“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,” NFA added.

Any person or entity found in breach of the laws relating to the lobster closed season is liable to be prosecuted in court and could face a maximum fine of $3 million or up to two years’ imprisonment and any lobster in their possession seized.