The Caribbean Lobster is spiny, unlike other lobster it hasn’t any front claws to protect itself.
Therefore catching them is pretty easy. They are also delicious (if you like shellfish) so the Caribbean lobster are highly vulnerable to overfishing. As a result the species is declining in population all across its range.
This is a factor to consider next time you are going for a beach BBQ in the Tobago Cays, buying a lobster from a fisherman in Rodney Bay, or simply trying to catch a lobster yourself for dinner on board.
Caribbean Lobster Laws.
Local laws and limitations govern the catching of Caribbean lobster across their range, with each management area having differing rules. There are seasonal ‘off limits’ laws; size constraints restricting catch, and of course the common sense of not taking an egg laden female.
However these rules are rarely observed. People either are ignorant and unaware there are laws surrounding lobster fishing, or they are simply ignoring the laws completely for their own gain.
Varying methods for catching lobster include SCUBA diving, free diving and spearfishing. You can use a tickle stick and net, or you can put on your gloves and grab a one for yourself. In some countries you can’t use spear guns at all, so this method is out of the question.
All of these differing rules make it hard to keep up, wherever you are. But be considerate, check the local laws. At the end of the day only take what you need if you are still dead set on catching your own Caribbean lobster. If buying it, just as a couple of simple questions to the fisherman/restaurant. If they can’t answer, you know that you won’t like the answer.