Commercial fishers across the Turks and Caicos Islands landed 35,384.4 pounds of crawfish during the first three days of the 2026–2027 spiny lobster season. Catches were brought into docks on Providenciales, South Caicos and Grand Turk despite difficult weather conditions.
South Caicos led all islands with 25,681 pounds brought in across the opening period, including nearly 15,000 pounds from 37 vessels on the first day alone. Providenciales recorded 8,488 pounds, while Grand Turk recorded 1,215.4 pounds. Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, Minister of Tourism, Environment, Fisheries and Marine Affairs, noted that the early numbers demonstrate that “this season looks very promising.” Compliance checks found most catch to be legal, though officers in Providenciales seized 47 undersized and moulted crawfish on the first day and an estimated 22 pounds combined on the second. Officers also used Inshore Vessel Monitoring System tracking to rescue a disabled vessel and a fisher in distress.
The lobster season runs through March 31, 2027. Unregistered fishers who still need to sign up can contact the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources Management by phone at (649) 338 4177 or by email at arponteen@gov.tc.