Environment Ministry Seizes 945 Live Crabs and More Than 300 Pounds of Species Illegally Caught Out of Fishing Season

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources seized 945 live crabs and more than 300 pounds of endangered undersized crustaceans whose fishing season has been over since December. The seizures took place in three different operations in La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís and Pedernales.

During the operation in La Romana and San Pedro de Macorís, 90 pounds of grabs were found; 945 were living, 540 of them in San Pedro.

The Crab species, who capture, seizure and sale is prohibited until the end of April, are called blue land crabs (Cardisoma guanhumi), zumbá or mangrove crabs (Ucides cordatus) and the black land crab (Gecarcinus ruricola). The Deputy Ministry of Coastal and Marine Resources was fulfilling the regulations of Resolution 18-2008 which establishes a permanent ban on females in order to allow for the reproduction of their species.

During the operation in La Romana and San Pedro de Macorís, 90 pounds of grabs were found; 945 were living, 540 of them in San Pedro. The living crabs were returned to the mangrove swamps in the strip between the provinces, their natural habitat. The remainder was held in custody as part of the body of evidence to be used in the judicial process.

The operation in Pedernales, carried out last Friday, resulted in the capture of 35 pounds of crabs, 131 pounds of lobster caught before reaching full size with some containing eggs and 3 pounds of turtle meat. They found 80 pounds of crab meat at the “El Tato” fish market.

Those who broke the law in the Eastern region have been indicted by the area’s Environmental District Attorney which will request the closure of some of the establishments in Pedernales.

Closed Season for Lobster

From April 1 to July 31, the Environment Ministry prohibits the capture and sale of spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), the spotted spiny lobster (Panulirus guttatus) and the Bear Crab.

The fish restaurants, fish stores, supermarkets and anyone in the country in possession, as of April 1, of live or captive lobsters are obligated to communicate this information to the Deputy Ministry of Coastal and Marine Resources before April 5. Telephone numbers are: (809) 732-3303, (809) 732-3305 ext. 27 and 28. People can also communicate by Email at: costeros.marinos@medioambiente.gob.do.

Throughout the closed season, all fishing, capturing, trapping, selling and storage of the live species in all forms is strictly prohibited. The goal of this regulation is to protect these shell fish during their reproductive period in order to guarantee their permanent existence and health of their species which ultimately guarantees market supplies.

The Environment Ministry reported that it will continue with these operations and is exhorting those who sell shell fish and crustaceans to make corresponding declarations in order to avoid loss of inventory in government raids and in the judicial processes that can include the closure of shops or a total ban on the sale of certain species.