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In the first two months of the fishing season, 30 per cent of the quota of red lobster was filled. (Photo: Stock File/FIS)
More than 11 tonnes of lobster fished in Galapagos
ECUADOR
Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 15:40 (GMT + 9)
Almost 11.5 tonnes of lobster was fished between 7 August and 8 October in the Galapagos Marine Reserve (RMG), according to a Fisheries Monitoring Process report by the Galapagos National Park (PNG) Directorate.
Some 9,165. 61 kilograms of red or pronghorn spiny lobster (Panulirus penicillatus) and 2,322.11 kg of green spiny lobster (Panulirus gracilis) were captured In the first two months of the fishing season, which concludes next 13 January.
The fishery will be opened for 160 days, or until the maximum catch quota established – 30 metric tonnes of red or pronghorn spiny lobster – is reached.
No quota was fixed for the fishing of green spiny lobster.
The following data was registered In the three ports authorised for lobster tail landings:
- Ayora Port, Santa Cruz: 4,115.41 kg;
- Villamil Port, Isabela: 3,691.39 kg;
- Baquerizo Moreno Port, San Cristobal: 3,680.92 kg.
In addition, 98.12 kg of lobster tail were seized, for different reasons: they did not fulfill the set minimum size for capture, which is 15 cm; they were pregnant or presented signs of having had their pleopods (abdominal legs) brushed or cut, Periodico de Negocios del Ecuador reports.
The minimum catch size was fixed at 26 cm in length overall, from head to tail, and tail size at 15 cm
Fishers who target lobsters should be registered in the PNG and be in possession of the original copy of their valid license, which accredits them as artisanal fishers of the Marine Reserve.
Meanwhile, the inspections carried out by the PNG Directorate to confirm that the pronghorn spiny lobster fishery within the RMG fulfills the regulations established is not limited solely to monitorings of the product in landing wharves, nor to inspections made at fishing sites, but also involves raids with the Environmental Police in seafood restaurants and other retail sites.
During the last raid undertaken, 16 commercial establishments at Ayora Port were inspected.
In four of these establishments, lobsters that did not fulfill the minimum size for capture were indeed found, as were pregnant lobsters and those that had had their pleopods cut or brushed.
Related article:
- Lobster capture authorised for 160 days in Galapagos
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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