Ecuador lifts ban on red crab harvesting

Starting September 16, 2026, people and businesses in Ecuador can again collect, capture, transport, and sell red crabs.

The Ecuadorian Ministry of Economic and Productive Development ended the second annual ban on harvesting the species to protect it during a critical part of its biological cycle. The government implemented the restrictions from August 15 to September 15, 2026, based on technical and scientific information from the Public Institute for Aquaculture and Fisheries Research (IPIAP).

The ban applied nationwide to all involved in the fishery, prohibiting any handling of the crabs during the closure. Authorities required companies with processed red crab before the ban began to report their inventory and allowed them to sell those existing stocks for up to five days, verifying compliance through inspections. The Ministry made the decision with sustainability in mind, aiming to ensure the long-term health of the red crab population in Ecuador’s mangrove ecosystems.

Importantly, the restrictions did not extend to blue crabs, as officials await further data on their molting patterns. The government will continue monitoring and enforcing regulations to promote responsible harvesting of the red crab.