Since the beginning of May, we've been telling you about the heavy resistance coming from the different fishing communities over the changes in Lobster regulations. Well, tonight, it seems the government is changing course in response to the strong, sustained pushback.
As proposed, the new regs require that lobster tails weigh a minimum of 4.5 ounces, up from the previous 4 ounces. Also, fisherfolk would no longer be allowed to catch and market lobster smaller than 3.25 inches. Previously, the minimum size was 3 inches. The regulators say that this change is necessary for the lobster industry's long-term recovery.
The community of Sarteneja made the point that the change was unrealistic and would injure their livelihoods because last into the season, significant portions of their lobster catch will not meet the new requirements because there aren't enough of the bigger lobsters in the seas.
Andre Perez, the Minister of the Blue Economy, and his team have since consulted with a number of the fishing communities. After today they announced that the government has postponed these new regulations for a year.
Shortly after midday today, the Belize Fisheries Department sent a press release saying, quote, "selected provisions of Statutory Instrument 128 of 2021, including amendments to the Spiny lobster regulations, will be implemented in a phased approach. This strategy has become necessary given the outcomes of recent engagements with several fishing communities across the country.
The implementation of the amended lobster regulations that establish a new lobster carapace length…a minimum tail weight…and a lobster trap escape gap …will be deferred until next year…
The... Fisheries Department is committed to the execution of community engagements during this year and in early 2023, to gather additional inputs and recommendations from fishers and fishers' organizations, which will help to guide the further strengthening of lobster regulations for Belize." End quote.
Three weeks ago, we showed you the difficult conversation that Andre Perez, the Minister of the Blue Economy, had with his constituents in San Pedro Town. He tried to convince them that this decision was an urgent and needed change, but the fisherfolk strenuously resisted.
For context, here's an excerpt of that back-and-forth in which Perez said that his ministry was contemplating this postponement that was announced today:
File: May 27, 2022
Abner Andre Perez - Minister of the Blue Economy
"All I am asking is that it reaches a time - although we have said that we're going to defer it for another year, Sarteneja is saying, well, 2, 3, or 4 years. The question is, if not now, then when? So, I'm hoping - of course, I have told you that we have agreed to keep it at 4 ounces at this point in time. But, there's going to come a time next year that we're going to give it a try. We have to implement it; we have to give it a shot. It's not looking good for us. We have to go back to the drawing board, but if we don't try, it will reach a point where the lobster industry will be so precarious. It can reach a point that is of no return, and yours truly do not intend to be that minister in the annals of history, who will be recorded like that."
The Lobster season is scheduled to begin in 3 weeks from July 1st, 2022 to February 28th, 2023
