Luxury Lobster Affordably Priced in Mexico
Tara A. Spears
From lobster salad rolls at coastal shacks to lobster thermador at five star restaurants, lobster is a versatile ocean catch that’s a favorite of many seafood eaters in North America. Lobster today is a staple on the menus of gourmet restaurants.
This delicious seafood is commonly enjoyed by the rich and powerful because they are extremely pricey since the 1940s but do you know that before the mid-1800s lobsters were considered so undesirable and too plentiful that only those without financial means –the poor, slaves and prisoners- ate lobster? In current times, the delicious and nutritious lobster is often considered a luxury food. Lucky for those living along or visiting the Pacific Ocean Mexican coast, fresh lobster is readily available and very affordable.
Lobster fishing is a very important activity for the local economy in many regions of Mexico. In an effort to help the lobster populations to be sustainable, there is defined no fish Lobster Season. In fact, there are several different seasons depending on the “zone”, the species of lobster found there, and their respective reproductive seasons. The government lists the 2022 Veda/closed season for lobster as March 1st to June 30th. The ok to harvest lobster period is from July 1 until October 30. Additionally, the temporary ban for the capture of blue lobster, green lobster and island lobster is maintained from July 1 to October 30 in the waters of the Gulf of California, along the coasts of Sonora and Sinaloa, as well as from Nayarit, to Chiapas.
It should be noted that the closures applied by the authorities have the objective of protecting the development of the species, whose life cycle includes 11 larval stages that have a duration of seven or eight months to pass to the juvenile stage, until reaching the catch sizes. There is a heavy penalty for illegally harvesting lobster: As defined in Article 420 of the Mexican Federal Criminal Code establishes penalties of one to nine years in prison for anyone who intentionally captures, transforms, shelters, transports, destroys or trades lobster and other marine species during veda.
Secretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SEPESCA) pointed out that 90% of the red lobster of the Pacific of Baja California, which is exported alive to eastern countries, mainly China, yields important benefits for hundreds of families settled on the coast of the western coast of the state.
According to Marine Stewardship council, there are five species of spiny lobsters belonging to the genus Panulirus which occur in tropical and subtropical waters off the Pacific coast of Mexico.
The Red rock lobster (Panulirus interruptus) is sometimes called California spiny lobster. This species is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean in California and Mexico. Similar to its Caribbean cousin, red rock lobster doesn’t have claws. Instead, it can be easily recognized by its enlarged antennae. This species is also fished primarily for its tail meat. The red lobster inhabits rocky and sandy bottoms, and develops from shallow waters up to 150 meters deep, with subtropical and cold temperatures of the Pacific current.
The Mexican “veda” is an official administrative act through which fishing is prohibited for a specific period of time or in a specific area, established through official norms or agreements, in order to safeguard reproduction and regeneration of a species. The different kinds of veda or closed season are as follows: Permanent: You may not hunt or harvest the resource at any time during the year for any purpose. Lastly, there is a Fixed season: A ban established for a defined period of time, which repeats every year at the same time.
If you are a sport fisherman or just want the fun experience of catching your own lobster by snorkeling, you do not need a permit or license. But, you must observe the no fishing period for each species or you’re breaking the law.
Even if you are only in Jaltemba Bay for a week during the winter season and you are craving Lobster, yes, you can still enjoy lobster that has been legally caught in Jaltemba Bay waters and frozen. There are at least eight seafood shops in La Penita that have excellent seafood and great prices. 
You can prepare lobster at home every day if you feel like it and watch the gorgeous sunsets. However, those visiting in the summer can savor the fresh catch when the season starts up in July. Treat yourself like a king or queen by savoring Mexican lobster.
