Reprieve for the Spiny Lobsters

March 4, 2010
By en.di.

The Authority of Aquatic Resources has issued a reprieve for Caribbean spiny lobsters in danger of overfishing.

Artisanal fishermen will have to abstain from lobster hunting for four months as Honduras, Costa Rica, Belize, Nicaragua and Guatemala also all take measures to protect the species until June 30th.

According to the authority, there has been a decrease in spiny lobsters in the Panamanian Caribbean.  However, crustacean exports can generate $1,489,758 annually as well as a great deal of jobs in the areas of Bocas del Toro, Isla Escudo in Veraguas, Colon and Kuna Yala.

Most times, indigenous artisanal fishermen dive down as far as 98 feet with masks and fins to catch the lobsters.

Spiny lobsters are famous for their sweet, juicy and tender meat.

La Estrella reports.