As the Florida Keys brace for an influx of divers for an extra day of spiny lobster or bug hunting on Sunday, July 14, local and state law enforcement officers are urging caution and reminding harvesting can only occur in state waters.
In the past week, seven people were injured and one person died in two separate boating accidents in Keys waters. On July 8, seven people were taken with to the hospital with serious injuries after the boat they were riding in struck the South Pine Channel Bridge at a high rate of speed shortly before 2 a.m. On July 5, a Hialeah man was struck and killed by a boat while spearfishing off of the Marathon. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating both accidents, and no one charges have been filed as of Wednesday, July 10.
Last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Marathon and announced adding an extra day of lobster mini-season, July 14, for Florida residents only. The day will augment the two-day spiny lobster sport season July 24-25, and the Aug. 6 beginning of the traditional lobster harvesting season.
The 24-hour period Sunday, July 14, is an addition to the recreational spiny lobster sport season, also known as “mini-season” and held annually on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July. The harvest only applies to state waters, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The “bonus” day begins at 12:01 a.m. July 14 and carries the same rules and regulations that apply to the regular July 24-25 mini-season. In addition, Monroe County and local municipalities have their own rules regarding shoreline diving that will be enforced. For example, night diving is not permitted in the Keys during sport season days.
Most of rules in the Keys, especially bag limits, differ from the remainder of Florida. Bag limits in the Keys are six lobsters per person per day. All “keepers” must be larger than 3 inches on the carapace and be measured in the water.
“The same rules apply as the typical two-day sport season, except for three exceptions,” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Capt. David Dipre said. “This is only for Florida residents. It is only for one day. It is only in state waters.”
FWC is bringing in 10 extra officers to patrol the Upper Keys. The officers will arrive Friday and start patrolling Saturday, Dipre said. The extra officers will be patrolling the Upper Keys, because the FWC is currently short about 12 officers in the Upper Keys, Dipre said.
The FWC will also bring in roughly 20 extra officers for the two-day spiny lobster sport season July 24-25 and for the start of regular season in Aug. 6, Dipre said.
The agency will also set up its lobster mini-season information booth off of U.S. 1 in Key Largo starting Friday, Dipre said.
Keys lobster-catching regulations for the sport season days and regular lobster season can be found at KeysLobsterSeason.com. The dedicated website features videos highlighting dive and boating safety tips, and up-to-date rules and regulations for lobster harvesting within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Law enforcement agencies work together to strictly enforce lobster harvest and boating safety regulations. Divers should be in good physical health and, before embarking on their lobster excursion, ensure they are current with their dive certification and verify that their dive equipment and boating gear are all in good working order.
Regular lobster season begins at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, and continues through March 31.
For Keys lobster season information, visit KeysLobsterSeason.com.
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