The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) urges Jamaicans to declare their possession of spiny lobsters by April 7.

Between April 22 and June 30, 2024, it will be illegal for anyone to have any species of the spiny lobster, or the crustacean’s parts or products in their possession without special permission.

NFA chief executive Dr Gavin Bellamy, in a statement, said persons are prohibited from harvesting lobsters during the close season, which officially began on April 1.

“You may consume, sell [or] give away lobster for the first 21 days of the close season. But you must, by the 7 of April, declare that you have legally caught lobsters in your possession,” he said.

Closing the lobster season ensures the sector’s sustainability by giving lobsters a chance to repopulate.

Whether the spiny lobster is fresh, frozen, or in any other state, all such by-products may be seized and persons or entities deemed liable will be prosecuted under the Fisheries Act, 2018, and attendant regulations.

Meanwhile, persons may seek special permission for storage of any spiny lobster or spiny lobster products during the period of April 22 to June 30. These products would have to be declared as lawfully fished before the commencement of the close season, where the aim is to make the lobster available for the domestic or export markets.

“If you are not going to consume or dispose of all the lobsters in your possession by April 15, you need to apply to the NFA to get permission to store this lobster until July 1,” Bellamy said.

This request should be sent to the NFA by April 15. Requests should describe the product being stored – whole, tailed, or meat; a statement or intent that the product will be stored, sold overseas, or exported; and bear the name and address of the intended approved storage facility, accompanied by a valid export license.