Lobster a Belizean delicacy. It can be easily said that this tasty delicacy is loved by all. It’s amazingly soft meat and rich texture will have you craving more the very first time you try it. In Belize this delicacy is widely eaten and served in nearly every restaurant in a variety of dishes. Unfortunately, enjoying lobster only comes within the season.  The lobster season begins on June 15th and with it comes a host of local celebrations.

Fishermen gear up for this day by setting out for some lobster fishing while local festivities kick off celebrating the opening of the season.  In Belize local fishermen have found the best way to catch lobsters.  Fishermen use a box that is known as “shades”, built using mangrove wood. The boxes are then sunk to the bottom of the ocean and monitored. The lobsters who dive in for “shade” are the unlucky ones.

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The fishermen will take turns diving into the ocean to capture the lobsters. The Fisheries Department in Belize monitors closely the lobster trade and the lobster must weight a minimum of four ounces and measure three inches in length or more to be considered legal. If anyone is caught with undersized lobster they must pay a fine for each undersized lobster.

In Belize the celebration of lobster season occurs countrywide with many local beach festivities, known as Lobster fest! Lobster fest occurs on the island of Caye Caulker, San Pedro and continues in southern Belize at Placencia, each year.  Belize is certainly a diverse country and with it comes the many creative Lobster dishes. These lobster dishes can be enjoyed throughout the lobster season, usually ending in February.