Lobster season begins

(CNS): The Department of Environment has said the public needs to comply with the laws during the three month open season for lobster catching which begins next Monday 1 December and runs until 28 February 2009. Only spiny lobster (panulirus argus) may be taken during the period and the catch limit is three lobsters per person or six per boat per day, whichever is less.

The minimum tail size of caught lobsters is six inches and no lobsters may not be taken from marine protected areas or while on SCUBA at anytime from Cayman Waters. 
Lobsters may not be taken in depths less than 20ft with the use of spearguns (which includes hook-sticks, pole spears, and othersuch impaling devices; and must be licensed by the Marine Conservation Board).

Violation of any of the marine park regulations and conservation laws attracts a maximum penalty of CI$500,000 and one year in prison.  Upon conviction, any vessel and equipment used in obtaining the illegal catch may also be forfeited.

In recent years in and around the region the spiny lobster numbers have been in decline as the species has been over exploited the quality of reefs are also essential to the Caribbean lobster. The preservation of reefs some scientists say will eventually help to increase lobster populations