FWC: BE CAREFUL AND
ABIDE BY LOBSTER RULES

Spiny lobster fishermen have only a few more days to prepare for the July 26-27 mini-season.  Regular sport-lobster season begins Aug. 6 and ends  March 31.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) today said rules and laws, in effect during mini-season, include a bag limit, restricted areas, no-take areas, size-limitations, permit requirements, equipment requirements and possession limits.

Some of the rules and regulations include:

*       Bag limits are six per person per day for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park; and 12 per person per day for the remainder of Florida during mini-season. During sport season, the bag limit everywhere is six lobsters per person per day throughout Florida.

*       On-the-water possession limit is equal to the daily bag limit.

*       Off-the-water possession limit is equal to the daily bag limit on the first day; double the daily bag limit on the second day.

*       Possession limits are enforced on and off the water.

*       Possession and use of a lobster measuring device is required at all times.

*       Night diving is prohibited in Monroe County during the sport (mini) season.

*       Harvest is prohibited in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park during sport season.

*       Harvest is prohibited during both seasons in Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park and no-take areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

*       Recreational trapping is prohibited.

*       Licenses and permits are required, unless exempt.

*       Limitations exist about where lobsters can be taken legally and how far away lobster fishermen must remain from boat docks.

For more information, visit MyFWC.com/marine/lobster.htm, or for information specific to the Florida Keys, call (305) 289-2320. For information regarding mini-season in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, call (305) 743-2437 or visit www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov.

In the Keys, FWC, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and National Park Service officials will be available July 21-26 at mile marker 106 in Key Largo to answer questions about lobster season regulations.The FWC has called for extra caution among boaters and divers during the two-day mini-season.  Divers must use a diver-down flag, and boat operators must obey all boating laws.

The FWC encourages everyone to wear a life jacket while on their boats, pay attention to their surroundings and don’t drink and drive a boat. Operators should pay particular attention to areas where the spiny lobsters are known to be because someone may be beneath the water and surface as the boat passes by.

Remember, one bad decision can ruin a great day.

This article originally published on July 16, 2006.

Written by :

westmark

 

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