The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) is reminding the public that the 2019-2020 crawfish (lobster) season will be closed as of Sunday, March 1st, 2020.
The Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Amendment) Regulation 12(1) states: “The close season for crawfish for the year 2020 shall commence on the first day of March 2020”.
During the closed season, any person who fishes for, purchases or is in possession of a lobster will be committing an offence that is punishable by a fine of $5,000 or six months’ imprisonment or both. The DECR is urging all fishers, restaurant owners, private residents and plant owners to ensure that no lobster remains in their possession as of Sunday, March 1st, 2020.
Please report any allege or suspected contravention of the Fisheries Protection Ordinance Regulations to the DECR at 338.6254 (South Caicos) 338.3176 (Grand Turk) 338.4168 (Providenciales) email to
Note: The Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Amendment) Regulation 3(I) states that "crawfish” means the spiny lobster, the slipper lobster, the smooth tailed lobster, the spotted lobster or crayfish or the species Panulirus Argus or Panulirus Guuatus or Scyllarides;