Grab your net and tickle stick. Florida’s spiny lobster sport mini-season will begin at midnight Wednesday, July 26 and will run through Thursday, July 28.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission held a press conference Tuesday to discuss lobster sport season rules and regulations, dive flag safety, safe boating and how to properly measure lobster.
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They were joined by law enforcement partners that include the United States Coast Guard and the Miami Police Department.
The FWC has several rules for the season which include:
- A daily limit of six lobsters per person for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park. Possession limits are enforced on and off the water.
- A minimum size limit of 3″ per carapace. Click here to find out how to measure a spiny lobster.
- Night diving is prohibited in Monroe County during the sport season.
- Divers must get their spiny lobster permit by visiting this link before they head out on the water.
- Boaters must be equipped with FWC-approved life jackets before hitting the water.
- Harvest of lobster is prohibited in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, 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.
The regular commercial and recreational lobster season starts Aug. 6 and runs through March 31, 2024.
According to FWC Officer Rafael Almagro, Florida leads the country with over 1 million registered boaters and 64% of fatalities were due to drownings in 2022.
The waters are expected to be congested in Miami-Dade for the event and FWC officials are urging attendees to be courteous, know their laws and take the proper precautions for the event.
For more information about the season and rules and regulations, click on this link.
Watch the full press conference here: