Spiny Lobster Season Has An Added Bonus This Year

The Spiny Lobster Season opens with a two day recreational sport season July 29th and July 30th, followed by the regular commercial and recreational lobster season that starts August 6th and runs through March 31.

This year the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has given divers an added incentive to remove some invasive lionfish while they're in the water harvesting lobsters.

Divers can take one additional lobster each day during the two day sport season if they first harvest 10 or more lionfish on the same day.

If you plan on catching your own spiny lobster dinner this year, here is what you need to know before you go.

Make sure you check the size.  Measuring devices are required and lobsters must be measured while in the water.

If the length of the carapace is not larger than 3", it must be left in the water.

Harvesting of egg bearing females is prohibited.  This is to protect the next generation and insure your lobster dinners in the future.

Don't take spiny lobsters with any device that can puncture or crush their shells.

To ensure that your friends and family have enough lobsters, stick to the bag limits.

During the two day sport lobster season in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park waters, recreational divers and snorkelers can harvest up to six lobsters per person per day or up to seven lobsters if they take at least 10 lionfish that first day.

In other Florida waters, each person can take up to 12 lobsters per day or 13 if they harvest at least 10 lionfish that same day.

When you are on the water, you may not possess more than the daily bag limit.  When you are OFF the water you may not possess more than the daily bag limit on the first day of the sport season and no more than double the daily bag limit on the second day.

The chart below is an easy to read guide to the two day sport season:

During the August 6th to March 31st regular spiny lobster season, the daily recreational bag and on the water possession limit is 6 lobsters per person.

Night diving during after the sun goes down during the two day sport season is prohibited in Monroe County. 

During the two day sport season all harvesting of lobster is prohibited throughout John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and ALWAYS PROHIBITED in Everglades Nationa Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary, certain areas of John Pennekamp State Park, and NO TAKE AREAS in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

You must have the proper paperwork with you.  Unless you are exempt from recreational license requirements, you must have a recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit.

Additionally, if you plan to take advantage of the extra lobster bag limit offered in the lionfish incentive program, you must have proof of your lionfish catch before you harvest the extra lobster.

This can be done by simply keeping the ten lionfish in a cooler while on the water, or having a picture of yourself with  the lionfish when you're off the water.

Information on licenses and permits are available here:   MyFWC.com/License

If  you are planning on removing lionfish while you’re out in the water, and plan on using a a spear, be aware of no-spearing zones, and always check with your local law enforcement agency before planning your spearfishing trips.

If you take a photo of your lionfish and lobster catch during the two-day sport  season, post it on Facebook.com/LionfishReefRangers. 

The FWC is giving the first 100 submissions a “Be the Predator” T-shirt and whether you’re one of the first 100 submissions or not, everyone who submits a photo will qualify for a special prize. 

One lucky winner will win a lifetime saltwater fishing license in a drawing held shortly after the sport season.
 
Safety is first.   Divers and even those who just wade in, should stay within 300 feet of a properly displayed divers-down symbol (red with a white diagonal stripe) on a flag or buoy when in open water, and within 100 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag or buoy if on a river, inlet or navigation channel.   Boat operators must slow down to idle speed if they need to travel within 300 feet of a divers-down flag or buoy in open water, or 100 feet of one on a river, inlet, or navigational channel.

Divers-down flags displayed on vessels must be at least 20 inches by 24 inches, and a stiffener is required to keep the flag unfurled.  

The flag must be displayed from the highest point of the vessel, must be visible from all directions and must be displayed only when divers are in the water.   When divers are out of the water, don’t forget to take it down.   Divers-down symbols towed by sport divers must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches. 

Additional information on divers down flag requirements is available online at MyFWC.com/Boating by clicking on “Boating Regulations.”

Happy Lobstering and Tight Lines.
Till next time.