November 27, 2023 The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining has been made aware of communications suggesting the importation of Caribbean Spiny Lobsters (Panulirus argus) into Jamaica through social media and other platforms. This Ministry would like to inform the public that the importation into Jamaica of any animal, including lobsters, all animal products or animal byproducts is governed by the Animals (Diseases and Importation) Act and its regulations and the Aquaculture, Inland and Marine Products and By-Products (Inspection and Licensing) Act and its regulations. These laws require that an importer must apply for and be in receipt of a veterinary import permit, prior to any such importation. Further, the majority of lobsters harvested in Jamaican waters are exported in accordance with international standards and local laws. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining would like to state categorically, that it has issued no veterinary import permit(s) for the importation of lobster into Jamaica. Additionally, the Ministry and its regulatory entities, including the Veterinary Services Division and the National Fisheries Authority, work in close collaboration with the Jamaica Customs Agency to closely monitor all imports and exports of fish, fishery products and by-products. The Ministry through its agencies and departments continues to facilitate the licensing of all fishers engaged in the fisheries sector and in this regard, issues licences for the harvesting and processing of lobsters to qualified individuals and entities. -30-

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