The same limitations apply during the regular spiny lobster season that opens august 6 and runs through march 31, 2008. The florida fish and wildlife conservation commission approved a new rule on june 25, 2015 to encourage divers to remove lionfish during the 2015 lobster sport season a. The rule allows divers to take a single spiny lobster over the bag limit per day for each day that they also harvest 10 or more lionfish during the 2015. This twoday event draws hundreds of sometimes frenzied recreational boaters in search of florida lobster. Lobster mini season is a divers favorite southern boating. Lobster miniseason is wednesday and thursday tcpalm. July 25th july 26th book your florida keys hotel early because the islands fill up for this annual popular event. Mini lobster season is about to kick off in the florida keys, and man are we ready to get our hands on some fresh florida lobster. You must carry a gauge to measure the carapace, which must be longer than three inches. Carapace must be larger than 3, measured in the water. If you plan to harvest spiny lobsters, you must have a recreational saltwater fishing license. Regulations during lobster mini season require lobster hunters to have a saltwater fishing license and lobster stamp. This two day event is july 2930th, and draws a crowd of lobster crazy bug hunters from far and near.
In the one significant change to traditional lobster rules for the sport season, divers who harvest 10 lionfish you dont have to stop at 10. Lobster mini season 2019 south florida diving headquarters. The competitive advantage is minimized by the fact that as many as 50,000 other divers invade the states reefs during this intense 48 hours and the hunt takes on the fevered pitch of a. Dive boats and hotels in the more popular areas tend to fill up pretty quickly, so make plans early. A person who possessed a lobster license in the previous year will be eligible to be issued a license in the current year. Lobster season is one of the busiest times in the florida keys. Each year the zonesregulations change just slightly and the ruleszones for mini season differ from regular season. Over the twoday, miniseason, statistics predict that there will be two deaths which equates to 1 death per day of hunting. Divers hit treasure coast waters in search of lobsters. Make sure you use a good pair of gloves to prevent injury from their sharp spines. Theres always a critique among people about miniseason.
The miniseason is the last consecutive wednesday and thursday of july each year beginning at 12. Nephrops means shellfish of the species nephrops norvegicus. In the one significant change to traditional lobster rules for the sport season, divers who harvest 10. Over a period of 363 days of the year, there are 36. Remove 10 lionfish, get extra lobster during miniseason cbs. Over the past 10 lobster seasons, the miniseason harvest has averaged 365,145 pounds. Lobster season in the florida keys hawks cay resort. They arrested him just 2 12 hours after the miniseason began, according to the keynoter. The mini lobster season is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july. The california spiny lobster panulirus interruptus takes a particularly special place within this group as a highly soughtafter target of both californias recreational and commercial fisheries. Possession and use of a measuring device required at all times. The regular lobster season is always august 6 through march 31. If youre ordering online, youll need a debit or credit card.
This page was created to gain support to cancel lobster mini season in the florida keys, the. There are numerous ways and techniques to catch the caribbean and florida spiny lobster. Next year the mini season falls on july 28th and 29th. New and old rules in place for lobster miniseason fl.
Florida lobster season opens with a twoday recreational miniseason thats your chance to catch the biggest tails before commercial fishermen set their traps. For the 2015 spiny lobster sport season only, divers will be allowed a single spiny. If you need help deciding which license you need, contact your marine patrol office or 207 6246550. Learn more about the regulations for the 2015 lobster mini season at the. The 2day spiny lobster event is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july, with the regular season opening august 6 th and ending march 31 st mini season started in the 70s as a way to reduce conflict between. Every summer, the florida keys become a hotbed of activity as hundreds of lobster hunters towing boats on trailers head south to their favorite dive and snorkel spots for the twoday spiny lobster miniseason. Please contact the marine permit office at the phone number below for further information.
Divers, boaters hit the water for lobster miniseason. These properties won t last long, so call today and reserve your place for the lobster 2015 mini season, july 2930th 2015. The state of florida years ago created a short sportsman season to allow recreational users to catch lobsters prior to traps being deployed and commercial season. If you order a permit online or in person, youll receive it the same day. If you have a problem opening or using any of these applications please contact the dmr webmaster. The bag limits in the florida keys during the 2 day mini season and the lobster regular season is 6 lobsters per person per day. License required unless exempt, a recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit are required to harvest spiny lobster. Diving for lobster mini season with a brownies third lung.
Cancel lobster mini season for the florida keys facebook. Make sure to always verify dates and regulations with florida fish and wildlife it begins at 12. If you have never experienced the frenzy you dont know what you are missing. Following it is the eightmonth regular lobster season.
To apply for a recreational lobster permit, youll need to provide your personal information. 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. This year the mini season falls on july 24th and 25th. There is no special maine lobster season for the hardshell lobsters that are more commonly shipped out of state, since lobstering is done yearround in the waters off maine more lobsters are caught in the summer months than during the winter, but that is mainly because the demand is higher due to tourism, and because the working conditions are easier. Recreational harvesters with a valid florida recreational saltwater fishing license and crawfish permit can take up to 6 legalsized lobsters 3 carapace length per person, per day during the sport season. South florida is a popular lobster harvesting destination. Sea fisheries lobster and crab recreational licensing regulations 2015 4 5 page 2 mutilated lobster means a lobster which has been mutilated in such a manner which could hide or obliterate a v notch. There are two florida lobster seasons, the 2 day mini season and the 8 month regular lobster season. Since lobster season has recently opened, i thought a how to catch fl lobster article would be timely for anyone considering a trip down to the keys check out all of my best lobster tips below. Hear about the lovehate relationship with lobster miniseason in the. Must hold a valid florida saltwater fishing license and lobster permit to harvest lobster. The regular lobster season in the florida keys is always august 6 through march 31.
Mini lobster season is a highly anticipated event every year. Every year hundreds of boaters and divers take part in the popular two lobster miniseason. Effective march 20, 2020 through april 30, 2020, the requirement to join the states saltwater registry is waived. First of all, the type of lobster most common in the keys is called spiny lobster. The twoday mini lobster season is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july. In terms of product availability, we have no problems with miniseason, said bill kelly. Before you attempt to catch a florida lobster, you need to understand their behavior. Lobster miniseason off to deadly start in broward its challenging, its thrilling, just the getting ready and whole atmosphere. If you have any questions, call the dmr licensing division at 207 6246550. July 26, 2015 every year lobster mini season comes and lobster mini season goes, the end result is our waters are destroyed.
Lobster mini season constitutional tax collector, serving palm. You cant go on a snorkeldive trip and catch lobster. 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. Spiny lobster may only be sold by or purchased from persons who hold the required licenses and endorsements. Miniseason is a nonissue for the lobster population, fwc lobster expert tom matthews said. Make sure to verify dates and regulations with florida fish and wildlife. Park readies for lobster miniseason biscayne national. The creation of sport season license above and beyond the annual lobster license. This temporary waiver is in conjunction with the maine department of inland fishery and wildlife waiving the requirement for a fishing license.
The twoday sport event takes place the last wednesday and thursday of every july, and is a hit all throughout florida. Secure the lobster in the net and take it to the surface for measurement. Cancel lobster mini season for the florida keys home. Lobster permits are currently under moratorium for new permits. The california spiny lobster can live 50 years and grow up to 25 pounds. Closed seasons from july 26th, 2019 to august 5th, 2019 from april 1st, 2020 to july 28th, 2020. Made the trip to west palm beach for lobster miniseason 2015. The two day spiny lobster sport season is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in. Mini lobster season is an annual event that falls on the last wednesday and thursday of july, bringing thousands of people to monroe county.
Find out how to measure a spiny lobster harvest of lobster is prohibited in john pennekamp coral reef state park during the. Lobster mini season tropical living by keys weekly. Lobster miniseason in florida spiny lobster harvesting. Lionfish add a new wrinkle in rules for the 2015 lobster miniseason wednesday and thursday. In the keys, lobster miniseason is a holiday and an ordeal. July 2930, 2020 last consecutive wednesday and thursday of july each year daily bag limit.
Get your saltwater fishing license and lobster permit online here. According to the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission, 280,000 lobster stamps have been sold for the 2016 season. Lobster season opens on the saturday prior to the first wednesday in october and closes on the first wednesday after march 15th, and is designed to protect the lobster population from overfishing during their summer reproductive cycle. The reported catch also exceeded the 12 per person limit in. Unless exempt, a recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit are. Divers can take home 12 lobsters per day, except divers in the keys. The last day of the season is march 18, 2020 at 12. The regular 8 month lobster season is always august 6 through march 31.
This year it runs from midnight wednesday through midnight thursday. Prohibited in monroe county only during sport season diving. The recreational lobster fishing season starts at 6. Florida and florida keys lobstering guide scuba diving. Remove 10 lionfish, get extra lobster during miniseason. The 2021 mini lobster season like all lobster mini seasons is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july. When floridas sportsmans spiny lobster season opens at 12. Below is a selection of key west vacation rentals that are still available for the 2015 mini season.
Current 20192020 recreational lobster fishing information. If you are caught with wrung lobster or over the limit, your lobstering privileges are suspended until your case is complete through the courts. People coming to the florida keys for lobstering do not view this place as their home, they leave trash and broken coral reefs in their wake. Divers search for lobster treasure during the first day of the twoday lobster miniseason on wednesday, july 26, 2017, on the beach at pepper park and the stan blum memorial boat launch in fort. Money from this sport season license can also be used for enforcement and education. How to catch lobster in the florida keys without scuba.
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