Crabs and lobsters enter a closed season.

In the case of the ban on the reproduction of the blue crab (Cardisoma crassum) and red crab (Ucides occidentalis) it will be from January 15 to February 15, 2013; while the ban on lobster (Panulirus gracilis and Panulirus penicillatus) will be from January 16 to June 16, 2013.

The crab reproduction ban is in place so that the species can complete their pre-courtship and copulation period, biological activities that take place exclusively outside the burrows.

It is also important to respect the minimum catch size throughout the year, which in the case of crabs is 6 centimetres wide.

The six-month ban on lobster fishing is established to maintain the sustainability of the resource. In Ecuador, the lobster resource is very important along the entire coast and represents a considerable income for the fishing population, especially the artisanal one.

Once the ban period is over, species with a total length of 26 cm or more may be captured, transported, processed and marketed, measurements taken from the anterior end of the snout - the origin of the antennae - to the posterior end of the tail (telsum), or those with a tail length of 15 cm; as well as all ovate females.

Both the crab and lobster ban prohibits the capture, transportation, possession, processing and internal and external marketing of these species.

In both cases, those who violate the provisions may be sanctioned with a fine of 2 to 10 basic unified general remunerations and/or imprisonment of 15 to 60 days, according to article 71 of the Law on Fisheries and Fisheries Development, or; placed at the orders of the prosecutor on duty so that he may take cognizance of the crime and proceed to issue sanctions in accordance with the law.