And switching gears, it's every seafood aficionado's favorite four words: lobster season is open! From early this morning, fishers have been out pulling up their traps, while cooks and chefs, resorts and restaurateurs have been preparing to serve lobster in all different styles.
So whether you like your lobster grilled or bathed in garlic butter, the time has finally come to crack open those shells.
Out on San Pedro, the first catch of the day came in before midday and our colleagues at the San Pedro Sun went out to greet the fishers - who spoke about their experience with sea pirates. Courtney Menzies has this story.
July 1st means that you'll finally be able to enjoy that lobster dish you've been craving since February. The Lobster Season is back open and fishers went out in their boats at the break of dawn to procure the much craved crustacean from the depths.
But while they had eagerly anticipated this year's opening, they were met with traps that had been invaded, their lobsters stolen.
Francisco Javier Morales, Fisherman
"This year, we caught about 400 pounds. I was expecting more lobster than last year but then we had some pirates stealing from our lobster traps and this year we only brought 400 pounds."
Lobster Fisher
"Today wasn't really that good but we just need, I think we need more patrol from the rangers to take care of the areas but it can be good. But we need more rangers patrolling."
Reporter:
"Because of the pirates?"
Lobster Fisher
"Yes, today we saw a lot of our traps turned over but I hope they patrol, we need more patrolling."
But despite this major setback, the fishers are still optimistic about this season:
Reporter:
"So do you think that will affect the amount of lobsters that you guys will catch this year?"
Francisco Javier Morales, Fisherman
"Not really."
Reporter:
"Expecting it'll be a good season?"
Francisco Javier Morales, Fisherman
"A good season, yeah."
Lobster Fisher
"Lot of big lobster, not so many small ones, so I think it'll be good."
Reporter:
"How many pounds you caught today, more or less?"
Lobster Fisher
"I think today we caught like around 120, 130, not so much. Last year we caught almost 300 pounds."
And this year will be very different than the past two years, since for the first time since 2019, the islands will be celebrating with Lobster Fest, meaning the fishers have a huge demand to meet.
Francisco Javier Morales, Fisherman
"I think it's good we're gonna have Lobster Fest because we're gonna sell more lobster so, there's a lot of lobster in the sea, so it's gonna be a good one."
The cooperatives and the private companies that purchase lobster for export are currently paying the fishers $28 per pound. But, that could go down because, currently, the price in the US is falling.
And last night, there were some fishers who couldn't wait another day for the season to open before diving for lobsters. TASA posted on their Facebook page that at around 6:40pm yesterday, they busted four fishers with lobsters.
The TASA officers were on a strategically planned patrol when they noticed the vessel and intercepted it. They found 37 lobster tails on board. The offenders were transported to Belize city and charged for the offense of possession of lobster out of season.
