In anticipation of lobster mini season, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Monday will discuss rules and regulations for the event.
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FWC officials will be joined by the U.S. Coast Guard and other law enforcement partners and will go over dive flag safety, safe boating practices and will do a proper measuring demonstration.
The two-day mini season stars on Wednesday and marks the beginning of the spiny lobster sport season for those with a valid license.
Here’s what fishermen should know before they get ready with their bait and tackle.
From July 29 to 30, people can catch up to 12 lobsters per person in Florida, except for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park (they have a limit of six per person).
Though fishing in Florida waters for spiny lobsters is fair game, there are some places where harvesting lobsters is forbidden. Some of these places include Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, no-take areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, in the Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Lobster Sanctuary, and in the five coral reef protection areas in Biscayne National Park.
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In order for someone to keep a lobster, there are a few requirements that need to be checked off first.
First of all, to take home a lobster, the carapace length must exceed 3 inches, specifically when measured in water. A carapace is their tough shell that spans from their head to their midsection.
Once captured and it passes the minimum size limit, it must be brought to land in one piece. It is prohibited to separate the tail from the body.
It is also not allowed to harvest a lobster that is bearing eggs or harvest using a device that could puncture or crush the crustacean.
For more information about this year’s Spiny Lobster Sport season, visit the FWC’s website.
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