Lobsters of all flavours on Caye Caulker

It’s a way of life for many, a booming industry in the cayes and a good source for foreign exchange. Over the past weekend lobster was the main dish in two of the nation’s main tourist destinations. It can be prepared in a number of ways and lobster lovers from all over headed to Placencia and Caye Caulker over the weekend to feast on this delectable meal. William Neal was among them.

[Highlights of Lobster Fest 2009…]

William Neal
“How important is this lobster fest to the island of Caye Caulker?”

Porfelio Guzman, Organizer, Lobster Fest
“We found out that this lobster fest is really important to the island and to the whole country of Belize because we know that at this time of the year is what we call a slow season for tourism. So in the weekend of the endpin of the month of June, we try to make the whole island mek some money and we know that everybody mek some money… except we.”

William Neal
“This year, how does this year measure up to past years?”

Porfelio Guzman
“People are not spending. The economy is so bad and so we’re glad to see the Belizeans and visitors come and enjoy this lobster fest but we can see that this year coming into the value it’s dropped off a lot.”

William Neal
“Are we seeing lower yields from the sea and is our lobster really in trouble?”

Porfelio Guzman
“Yes, our lobster is not increasing; it’s decreasing. Even like right now we have the government is putting in a law that you have to have lobster over four ounces, like four and a half, five ounce tail.”

William Neal
“But lobster fest would not be lobster fest without lobsters; from the way they’re cooked to the actual competition for the weighing in and the biggest lobster for lobster fest 2009.”

Lobster Fisherman
“I just end up di—yesterday evening we just have it in cage and we have to go and get it and that’s how we manage fi keep it alive because dehn noh want it dead or nothing like that right.”

William Neal
“Why did you decide to come out to lobster fest?”

Lobster Fest Visitor #1
“Well, yoh know dah wah good experience. Been away from yah fi fourteen years so I just mi want experience it.”

Lobster Fest Visitor #2
“Di lobster was really nice. I love lobster. We dah one ah di few people we come only fi lobster.”

Lobster Fest Visitor #3
“Yeah, we had lobster and di tails big I have to seh so I noh know what’s happening wid di barrier reef or all dat but I could tell yoh di tails big so obviously di spawning time must be working.”

Lobster Fest Visitor #4
“We know that you really have the best lobster here in Belize. We were in Belize City and we realized that this party was going to be here and we took a boat and here we are.”

Lobster Fest Visitor #5
“We love seafood, now we’re being here to enjoy the lobster festival so we want to enjoy it free and happy.”

Lobster Fest Visitor #6
“It’s a time to bond with family and friends and enjoy this—what Belize has to offer. It’s mother nature’s best kept secret.”

William Neal
“Well, after working all day I think this is the best way to end lobster fest; with a lobster… whoo quite a mouth full. So Marleni, you didn’t make it out and for anybody who didn’t make it to lobster fest 2009, remember you still have an opportunity to come out before lobster season ends. Come to Rainbow Grill and Bar and get your lobster served up exactly how you like. They have ceviche, they have it stewed, they have it in burritos; whatever you like. But I chose Belizean style, coleslaw, rice and beans and some cilantro sauce. I am gonna dig in, I am done, I am out.”