Important Guidelines for Consumers During Creole Month & Jounèn Kwèyòl Activities

In accordance with the Fisheries Act and the Fisheries Regulations Cap 7.15 of the revised laws of Saint Lucia 2008, the Department of Fisheries reminds all vendors and patrons of the following:

 CLOSED Crayfish Fishery Regulation
 OPEN Lobster Fishery Regulations
 OPEN Sea Urchin (or Sea Egg) Fishery Regulations

Crayfish Fishery CLOSED
The crayfish resource continues to be threatened by the illegal use of poisonous substances as a common means of harvesting. As such, an extended closed season (moratorium) on the harvest and sale of freshwater shrimp, prawns or crayfish remains in effect.

It is therefore illegal to remove from the rivers of Saint Lucia, expose for sale, sell, purchase, or at any time have in his possession, wild fresh water crayfish (prawns). Persons are encouraged to purchase farmed prawns from aquaculture farmers and the St. Lucia Fish Marketing Corporation. Farmed prawns when alive can be generally distinguished by their large blue pincers (gandi) which are not present in the wild-caught prawns.

Lobster Fishery Opened – August 2, 2016 to February 28, 2017
When purchasing and selling lobsters during the open period, each lobster must meet the following requirements:

1. The lobster must have a carapace of 9.5cm or more,
2. Lobsters must NOT be carrying eggs (berried) or show evidence that eggs were removed,
3. Lobsters should NOT be speared or hooked, and
4. Lobsters should NOT have a soft shell (i.e., be moulting).

Sea Urchin (Sea Egg) Fishery Opened October 24 to 31, 2016
The sea egg harvest period will be opened for 8 days. All sea egg harvesters should ensure that:

1. The sea egg shell diameter is 9 cm,
2. Scuba gear is NOT used to harvest sea eggs,
3. All shells are buried after harvesting,
4. Sea eggs are not harvested in Marine reserves: such as Maria Islands, and
5. All sea eggs are sold and used by midnight on Monday October 31, 2016.