While visiting Treasure Beach for the umpteenth time recently, I happened upon some fishermen unloading lobsters from an incoming boat. Several hundreds of lobsters were unloaded, a few hundred of which were clearly juveniles, and perhaps a hundred of which were carrying eggs. Not being myself someone who makes a living from fishing, I hesitate to moralise with those who have to contend with what must be very difficult circumstances to be able to bring in a catch, and I certainly don't seek to deprive hard working men who have risked their lives at sea of what might for all I know be an exceptionally rare pay day. Perhaps it had been a very long time since last those fishermen had the opportunity to bring in such a large catch, and the temptation to "make up" for the previous unfruitful outings was too great to pass up, even in case of the juveniles and the egg-bearing females.

Does anyone have any ideas on what is being or can be done to reduce if not eliminate this practice? I would guess that it can't be a lack of education, for who is better placed than fishermen to understand that taking the juveniles who haven't yet reproduced and the egg-bearing females is nearly certain to decimate the lobster population, with entirely predictable and unenviable consequences for all fishermen? Needless to say, if left unchecked this practice will adversely affect all Treasure Beach residents, visitors and property owners. Most particularly of course this blights the future of the children of the area, from whom the next generation of fishermen may spring.

Are there community leaders who can initiate a conversation with the fishermen in an attempt to generate a consensus that it is in everyone's best interests to observe the fisheries laws generally and the catch limits in particular? The alternative of having fisheries officers inspect catches is I fear likely to be difficult to sustain and easily evaded. Further, I hope I'm not being naive in thinking that everyone must instinctively know that it is self-defeating and wrong to pursue unsustainable fishing practices, and that with a little guidance and encouragement most people will comply with the laws in this respect.

Whilst I look forward to seeing any comments here, it might be more helpful if anyone reading this post and who shares my concern could mention it to a fisherman friend.

Tomorrow's catcher: You are so right-on. I do think all the fishermen should hold a meeting and talk about the devasting effect it will bring in the future if they keep catching these "baby" and "egg producing lobsters" to shore for sale..

What is going to happen to the population of lobsters is this..{They will be dried up}
Please inspect your catch and throw them back so they can multiply and multiply and make the catch better for everyone a few weeks/months later.

I WENT FISHING SOMETIME AGO IN THE UNITED STATES AND THEY CAME ROUND TO INSPECT WHAT WE HAD IN OUR BUCKETS AND WE HAD TO THROW BACK CERTAIN SIZES BECAUSE THEY WERE SO SMALL AND ON TOP OF THAT WE WERE ONLY ALLOWED TO EACH HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF WEIGHT ALSO.
PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.

Well said.

While I agree with Tomorrow's Catch that the economics are complicated, years ago I saw the cutest sign at the Bonnie View hotel in Port Antonio: Lobsters on Maternity Leave.

I know nothing about lobsters, (well, except how to enjoy them with melted butter!) but I'm guessing there's a season when it would be better not to collect them? That's what the sign seemed to be saying, and it made everyone smile...and it might also reduce the incentive to fishermen to collect each and every one?

It is indeed good to see that there are still people out there who are concerned about the
environment and its limited resources,
those of us who do not care, imperils the future

look at your children as they enjoy a meal
or as they sleep tonight and know this,

if we do not act responsibly Now, not tommorow
thier children may not know the taste of lobster
or fish for that matter, I recently read a report
that prominent scientist have estimated that at the current rate, ((there will not be a single fish left in the sea in 50 years))
sound long? your children and grand chlidren
better develop a taste for something else, and
mine also, unfortunately !
It is good however to see that more people are becoming aware of the dire situation, and
while we are contemplating this calamity,
we are now down to 49!! TICK TOCK

The "leaders" of the community are the ones buying the lobster - just look at the menu at Jakes.

Before the banning of lobster season, many restaurants, villas, guest houses, etc. buy lobster and freeze it so they can provide their guests with lobster during the banned season.

The law states the restaurants must show a record of how much lobster they have on April 1, and then the authorities can come in to check on this amount, etc. This, of course, is not a full proof method as it means the restaurants are basically on the honour system. But until there are enough officials to police the banning season more, both in the restaurants and on the beaches, it will have to do.

I have always said the best way to enforce the lobster banning season is not to ask for it. If there is no demand, there will be no need for a supply.

The lobster banning season is from April 1 - June 30 as this is spawning season for lobster. Don't ask for any lobster and you will be doing your part to save the lobster for the future!

Does anyone know if the reefs are being destroyed with poisin like a documentory I saw on tv not so long ago.The reason behind this method was for the fishes to rush out from under the rocks and then captured but, in doing that the reefs were dying.

As the descendant of a long line of fishermen, I want to thank Tomorrow's Catch for so eloquently stating the simple facts. Thank you.

Another thing that seriously concerns me is the recent introduction of scuba diving for lobsters in the area. The vast majority of fishermen get their catch using traditional fish pots. I can only wonder what's left for them to haul after the divers have finished cleaning up the bottom.

While I don't think there are laws against the divers doing their thing, I believe the fishermen should be more vigilant in discouraging others from destroying their livelihood.

Sadly, some are worried about what their family will eat today. Maybe they can not think about the future.

"Wondering" has probably got it right; live for today, to hell with the future; family needs have to be met.

Worryingly, I was at sea at the end of March and between Lover's Leap and the Bluff the sea was full of dead immature shad. BeBe was of the opinion that they were victims of indiscriminate seine netting - the catch being hauled ashore, the best fish selected and, the immature fish allowed to die and then dumped back into the ocean.

If this sort of thing continues, in conjunction with dynamiting, the present poor fish stock will be entirely destroyed.

What then? Who, I ask, has ultimate conrol of fish conservation in Jamaica and who enforces it?

Just to clarify to DISGUSTED LOCAL If do go to Jakes and there is lobster on the menu these lobster were purchase before the Lobster band. Also if you should ask any fisherman in Treasure Beach which is where all of the lobsters are purchase they can tell you that under no powers they would get anyone at Jakes to buy lobster from them. So my advice to you DISGUSTED LOCAL if next time you want to spread propaganda on someone please get your facts straight.

Scuba divers are pirates. They will go out there
and shoot the lobsters and large fish from the fishermen's traps, and I think this is one of the worst type of stealing.
(Bowl)

As stated by someone here - the lobster ban is completely on the honor system so if Jakes is in support of the breeding season, then they should not serve it - in support. I believe that is what "leaders" should do. One person's opinion only.

Need a bit more clarification please....do Jakes and Jack Sprat have lobster on their menu year round? Are they fresh or frozen? Just curious.

Defender: So where does Jakes get its lobster? They're not local? I am not saying they get them out of season no matter where they get them.

I'm not sure why Jake's is being singled out here as they are certainly a restaurant that adheres to and honors the lobster banning practices when many other restaurants island-wide do not. As stated previously, ALL restaurants serving lobster can freeze lobster ahead of time to have on supply during the banning season. When that supply is depleted, they cannot replenish the supply, by law, until the banned season ends.

When it is not during the lobster ban season, Jake's does buy from local fisherman and, therefore, provides fresh fish and lobster to their guests.

Someone suggested there should be a total ban of all lobster sold during the banned season whether frozen or fresh. I have heard that mentioned recently from a government official as being a better solution than the current honor system and one they are looking into. I, also, think that is a very good idea.

i agree. jakes doesn't break the rules. if they can satisfy customers with frozen lobster then they are abiding by the rules. it would be good if ALL places stopped even serving them during the banned period, frozen or fresh. i wonder how people would feel about that and if they would agree.

WONDERING TOO, All of the lobster Jakes put on there menu is from local fisherman i can simply say this because i have sold them my catch on several occasion.

DISGUSTED LOCAL, Jakes do adhere to the banning and very much support it. A question to you
though if you were in the position of Jakes and had previously purchase let say a hundred pound of lobster before the lobster ban would you throw them away or satify your lobster lovers costumers, you sure can't throw them back in the ocean and revive them. One person opinion also.

LOBSTER LOVER: Jakes and Jacksprat do not have lobster at this moment i know this for sure because i took someone there last night and they did not have any. You can check them when the ban is up.

If someone can put together a movie show, ok big screen video, of the life of the lobster and the consequences of greedy or hungrybelly harvesting it may be of benefit.

Hey lobster man, you have the blood of the best craftsmen on the planet, if you see things have to change, start practicing a next trade for when when lobster cyan catch. We are supposed to be allpurpose!

Now...who can make gig? I mean GIG, right wood right carving, good spin and good point.

I would buy the first one and get for my friends up here.

Honestly, I do not know a soul in TB. But from checking the website because it is my intention of visiting there one day. I admire everything Jake and his family and also Rebecca (whoever they are) are doing for that community. I can feel a hate vibe, through the computer, from some comments. Please let's all be thankful.

I am looking forward to meet everone when I visit sometime this year with friends and family from NY & FL. Yes I am Jamaican and I do not wish a response to my comment at this time, but I understand it is an open forum so........

There are several National Geographic, Jacque Costeau etc documentaries about Lobster Migration and spawning habits that are readily available. Maybe as a nation we need to start driving our cable networks and/or TV stations to start educating the public and having our schools use some of these films in their curriculum. There are ample movies and stage shows being promoted and being watched, but to voluntarily watch Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel and other pertinent films, takes some desire on the part of the people that have an interest.

Public awareness is important, but getting to the problem and addressing the problem through
1: Law enforcement
2: Education
3: Possible alternatives
4: Strong Billboard presentations during the Lobster off season
5: Incentives to restaurants to post the information discouraging guests from purchasing Lobster during the off season, might help.

I am not saying use all 5 suggestions, but surely using a large percentage of them would help more than it is at this time.

Lobster harvesting during the off season can be accredited to 2 reasons
1: Income
2: Education
Resolving these two issues would without doubt significantly contribute to protecting the future of Lobsters not only in Jamaica, but throughout the world.

Let us not forget while we debate this issue, that this is a problem not only unique to our Island but the world. There is one "but" however, and that is, we might be more dependent on the survival of this specie, than most of the other countries that have the same issue.

I have been pondering how to do something practical to promote the conservation of lobsters, and I suspect Sisterfire may be on to something. What if a cartoon was drawn with a pregnant lobster escorting a brood of juveniles, having her say "leave my babies alone" or "pick on someone your own size" or "don't rob the cradle"? What if such signs were erected at the fishing beaches, and miniature versions added to the menus of retaurants islandwide, starting in Treasure Beach? Would that help to start visitors curb their demand for out-of-season, juvenile and berried lobsters? Would the local restaurants voluntarily stop serving out-of-season lobster? (I assume they already don't buy juveniles or berried females). Would fishermen be more willing to observe the conservation laws? Would they catch more lobsters in a year or three as a result?

I might be overly optimistic, and I know the conservation problems are broader than just this issue, but as they say it's better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.

What do readers think? How much would it cost to do something like that? Who might be willing to organise it? Would Treasure lovers be willing to contribute to such a venture? If I knew someone reliable was organising it I'd be willing to chip in.

Please feel free to say so if you think this a bad idea. Better still, please put forward other ideas.

There is no love or hate involved in the big question here. And that question is - are the rules the same for the big guy, as the little guy. And, sadly, they are not. It is true all over the world, but even more so in the "have and have not" nations like Jamaica. From the big questions down to the little - wages, beach restrictions, sound systems, lobster and building regulations. It creates resentment - a fact of life. But another fact of life is - the world is not fair. we all need to get over it - somehow.

BIG RESPECT TO JAKES. I DELIVER FISH AND LOBSTER TO THEM AND FOR NOW THEY ARE NOT TAKING ANY LOBSTERS, JASON IS A VERY GOOD MAN IN THE COMMUNITY.
BIG UP JASON...WE LUV U......

I saw a great ad somewhere and I can't remember where. It was a photograph of a lobster in spawn and it said...
"This lobster's children are your children future."

It was incredibly effective.

I believe their are moratoriums in various areas in the USA where fishing and shrimping are controlled. Examples: Alaska, New England, Louisiana. I also think that the US government provides some type of subsidy for the fishermen.

If the Ja. government were to consider something similar, they could mandate a pause in lobster harvesting for a couple of years, and thereby improve the stock for the future.

I know Ja. is poor in comparison to Uncle Sam, but something must be done or else there'll be dire consequences.

Why do I feel that with the right networking there are many all over the world that would subscribe to such a subsidy and to other issues needing support.

Poverty exists in Jamaica as everywhere. There are pockets of great wealth too that would understand such critical needs such as the fishing dilema who would participate.

The best government participation would be to encourage such private participation without feeling a loss of pride and giving tax credit for contributions.

$ aside, there are Marine Biologists and other academics who would be happy to come to do monitoring of fish populations etc.

Stephanie and Viking and others have succesfully initiated community service/study tourism. Many in foreign are just waiting to be invited. Locals too.