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| Lobster fishermen bring in a big catch
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Lobster Season officially opened on Tuesday, June 15th with what
fishermen described as "a sizeable catch" - which is currently
satisfying many demanding palates all over Belize. In San Pedro,
Caribeña Cooperative Manager George Kumul reported that the amount of
lobster received on the first day of the season was 2,267 pounds. This
is 516 pounds more than the amount caught the first day of the season
last year.
As in previous years, local fishermen began their day as early
as 4:00 a.m. Once at sea, they visited countless lobster traps (nasas)
and shades (habitats) in hopes of returning home with a healthy catch.
According to most of the fishermen interviewed, this year the lobsters
seem to be thriving. Fishermen credit this to less poaching during the
closed season.
At the end of the first day of Lobster Season, the Cooperative paid
out $36,272 ($16 per pound) to 31 fishermen. The Cooperative will now
deliver these fresh crustaceans to the National Cooperative in Belize
City where they will be processed for export, and for sale on the local
market.
The abundance of the first day's catch brought in satisfactory
profits, and has San Pedro fishermen optimistic that this year's
Lobster Season will be a very productive one.
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