Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission for questions on regulations or to report a violation division of law enforcement 888 4043922 marathon office 305 2892320 division of marine fisheries 850 4870554. Florida keys lobster season welcome to florida keys, monroe county florida, minilobster season florida keys lobster season is at hand and everyone is excited. For 2019, that means on july 24th and 25th, properly licensed recreational individuals can hunt spiny lobster before thousands of commercial lobster traps are deployed on august 6th. About 70 percent of all lobster collected in florida come from the reefs in monroe county. Swarms of lobster hunters flood the florida keys for a chance to get their share of this delicious spiny crustacean. Every july the coastal areas of florida are flooded with lobster hunters trying to get their share of this years bounty when the offical mini lobster season kicks off. Oct 24, 2017 mini season started in the 70s as a way to reduce conflict between lobster hunters and commercial lobster fishermen commercial can set their traps august 1 st. Wsvn south floridians are getting ready for the highly anticipated lobster miniseason that will begin at midnight. Jul 24, 2019 floridas annual twoday lobster miniseason begins at 12. New and old rules in place for lobster miniseason fl keys news. Spiny lobster retained as an incidental bycatch in a net or trawl other than a handheld net may not exceed five percent of the total whole weight of all species possessed all license requirements apply. Another difference is that while lobster season attracts many commercial fishermen, mini lobster season is more of a recreational sport season.
More than 70 percent of all crawfish taken in the state come from reefs in monroe county, despite the fact that lobster hunting is. Wsvn south floridians are getting ready for the highly anticipated lobster mini season that will begin at midnight. There are rules to follow to keep the catch legal and procedures to keep yourself safe before breaking out the bibs and. Commercial lobster fishermen may not see their first money from this years season until the end of august, worthington said. Florida and florida keys lobstering guide scuba diving. In the keys, lobster miniseason is a holiday and an. Lobster regulations monroe state attorneys office, fl. Although mini lobster season is intended as recreation, there are a few rules that must be followed. The two day spiny lobster sport season is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in.
Knowing the fishery rules will help ensure sustainable harvests into the future. Your guide to lobster fishing in florida lauderdale divers. Possession and use of a measuring device is required at all times, and night diving is prohibited in monroe county only. Fishermen are ready to dive for the delicacy over the. Prohibited in monroe county only during sport season diving is defined as swimming at or below the surface of the water. Florida keys national marine sanctuary notake areas marked with 30 inch diameter round, yellow buoys. Key west mini lobster season information conch tour train. The possession limit on the water is equal to the daily bag limit, and off the water is equal to the. Mini lobster season twoday event draws hundreds of sometimes frenzied recreational boaters in search of florida lobster. Jul 26, 2015 lionfish add a new wrinkle in rules for the 2015 lobster mini season wednesday and thursday. The spiny lobster sport season will fall on july 30th wednesday and 31th thursday for 2008. Participants of lobster miniseason ready for routine checks florida wildlife officials are patrolling state waters during an annual twoday spiny lobster sport season to make sure divers are. Possession and use of a measuring device required at all times. This entry was posted in fishing news, fishing regulations, key largo news and tagged artificial habitats in state waters, john pennekamp coral reef state park, key largo lobster mini season, lobster mini season, lobster sport season, measuring lobster, monroe county.
During the mini season bag limits are smaller here and diving at night is illegal. However, if everyone plays by the rules applicable to monroe county, the lobster mini season can be enjoyed by everyone. Over the years mini lobster season has been modified several times over the years to account for changes in lobster stock assessments. Youll find thsese in the monroe county lobster brochure. A group of divers hunting for lobster found a 70yearold man dead wednesday afternoon off broward county. As a result, the first takes for commercial operations are often light. Spiny lobster may only be sold by or purchased from persons who hold the required licenses and endorsements. Miniseason rules in the keys were changed and tightened over the years since monroe county has the most lobster and by. The regular nearlyeightmonth recreational and commercial lobster season starts august 6 and ends march 31. Jul 23, 2019 get ready to grab your tickle stick, florida divers and lobster lovers will begin diving the depths for the states annual twoday lobster mini season. For more info, see florida keys national marine sanctuary. Possession limits are enforced on and off the water night diving is prohibited in monroe county only during the sport season harvest of lobster is prohibited in john pennekamp coral reef state park during the sport season and in everglades national park, dry tortugas national park, notake areas in the florida keys national marine sanctuary and in the biscayne.
The rules for the event have already been changed to lessen its impact in the keys. Mini lobster season key west chamber of commerce key. Sportdiving season, now more than four decades old, was initiated to give recreational divers a limited harvest before the aug. Jul 25, 2019 a group of divers hunting for lobster found a 70yearold man dead wednesday afternoon off broward county. At the end of every july the phenomenon called mini lobster season takes place. The two day spiny lobster sport season is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july.
Lobster must be of legal size before they are in possession. Monroe county boasts the largest lobster population in the state and draws the most lobster divers. The mini season bag limit is six lobsters per person per day in monroe county and biscayne national park and 12 per person in the rest of the state. In fact, thousands converge on key west during the last week in july for this very reason. Spiny lobster harvesting is prohibited at john pennekamp coral reef park only during the sport season. Mini lobster season is an annual event that falls on the last wednesday and thursday of july, bringing thousands of people to monroe county. In the florida keys monroe county the limit per person per day is 6 as opposed to south. Lobster mini season tropical living by keys weekly. Every year, about two people during during the twoday lobster mini season.
Get ready to grab your tickle stick, florida divers and lobster lovers will begin diving the depths for the states annual twoday lobster miniseason. During the miniseason bag limits are smaller here and diving at night is illegal. Diving at night for lobster is not permitted in monroe county and adjacent federal waters. Three days preceding miniseason, plus miniseason, and the first. You may not have lobster in your possession in everglades national park florida bay. Officials reminding boaters of rules, restrictions as lobster. If youre a lobster fan, youll love the possibility of some of the most succulent meals coming up. While the statewide catch limit is 12 per person per day, in monroe county and biscayne national park, its six. Lobster miniseason, takes place on the last wednesday and thursday in july.
In the one significant change to traditional lobster rules for the sport season, divers who harvest 10. This is not an official publication of lobsterlobstering is. Another difference is that while lobster season attracts many commercial fishermen, minilobster season is more of a recreational sport season. This twoday event draws hundreds of sometimes frenzied recreational boaters in search of florida lobster. This annual two day event, during which properly licensed snorkeler andor diver are allowed to take up to six legal sized lobsters per day in monroe county waters, typically brings around 25,000 visitors to the florida keys and key west. In the keys, lobster miniseason is a holiday and an ordeal. Divers slam lawyer, others accused of lobster poaching. The wildlife agency estimates 224,000 lobster were plucked from monroe county waters during last years mini season. The mini season dates are always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july and begins at 12.
Best lobster dishes in florida keys the twoday frenzy draws lots of outoftowners looking to get in on the action. This is not an official publication of lobsterlobstering. This is not an official publication of lobsterlobstering is prohibited season rules and regulations. Possession limits are enforced on and off the water night diving is prohibited in monroe county only during the sport season harvest of lobster is prohibited in john pennekamp coral reef state park during the sport season and in everglades national park, dry tortugas national park, notake areas in the florida keys national marine sanctuary and in the biscayne baycard sound lobster. Jul 25, 2017 lobster mini season officially began at 12.
Lionfish add a new wrinkle in rules for the 2015 lobster miniseason wednesday and. Florida keys lobster season, monroe county, sport lobster. Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission regulations. Mini lobster season in the florida keys, is one of the busiest times of the year. Monroe county has the largest population of lobsters in the state and also draws the most lobster divers. Possession and use of a measuring device is required at all times, and night diving is prohibited in. Floridas annual twoday lobster miniseason begins at 12. During lobster miniseason, law enforcement officers will be patrolling our waters, bridges and parks to ensure that laws pertaining to lobster are enforced.
Night diving is prohibited in monroe county only during the sport season. Start by learning lobster regulations for the florida keys. New and old rules in place for lobster miniseason fl. For more information on the regulations and requirements of lobster miniseason click here. Although minilobster season is intended as recreation, there are a few rules that must be followed. Participants of lobster miniseason ready for routine. The specifics for each area are on the marine sanctuarys website. Jul 24, 2019 participants of lobster mini season ready for routine checks florida wildlife officials are patrolling state waters during an annual twoday spiny lobster sport season to make sure divers are.
Wednesday morning and officials say they will be enforcing rules both in the water and on land while also reminding boaters to stay safe. The wildlife agency estimates 224,000 lobster were plucked from monroe county waters during last years miniseason. More than 70 percent of all crawfish taken in the state come from reefs in monroe county, despite the fact that lobster hunting is regulated more strictly here than anywhere else. Florida keys lobster season, monroe county, sport lobster season. The bag limits are 6 per person per day for monroe county and biscayne national park, and 12 per person per day for the rest of florida. Mini lobster season florida keys catch spiny lobster. The monroe county state attorneys office is committed to preserving all of the florida keys natural resources, state attorney dennis ward said. Mini lobster season is a chance for recreational anglers to try their hand at catching these elusive crustaceans. Lobster miniseason begins at midnight across south florida. During lobster mini season, law enforcement officers will be patrolling our waters, bridges and parks to ensure that laws pertaining to lobster are enforced. Lobster dinners check out some of the local dishes on the menu. Lobster miniseason begins at midnight across south.
Next, be safe on the water and practice respect not only for fellow boaters and divers, but also the coral reefs and habitats that lobsters call home. First arrests made as fl lobster miniseason starts miami herald. Harvest of lobster is prohibited in john pennekamp coral reef state park during the sport season, see john pennekamp coral reef state park. Lobster miniseason south florida sun sentinel south. All lobster hunting is prohibited at everglades national park, dry tortugas national park and the notake areas in the florida keys national marine sanctuary. Mini season started in the 70s as a way to reduce conflict between lobster hunters and commercial lobster fishermen commercial can set their traps august 1 st. The season lasts 48 hours after which it closes and regular lobster season opens august 6th. First arrests made as fl lobster miniseason starts miami. There are two florida lobster seasons, the 2 day mini season and the 8 month regular lobster season. Dont let a fun day on the water turn into a bad night at the county jail. Participants of lobster miniseason ready for routine checks. Also, unincorporated monroe county and the municipalities of key west, marathon, islamorada, key colony beach and layton have local rules prohibiting lobstering nearshore. The monroe county sheriffs office is also patrolling the water.
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