That's the Loggerhead crew out of Marathon at this year's mini-season.
The regular lobster season runs Aug. 6 through March 31.
Recreational fishers must have a saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit to harvest spiny lobsters, unless they are exempt from the recreational license requirements. Harvesters also must make sure their spiny lobsters have a carapace length greater than 3 inches to take them, and divers must possess a measuring device and measure all lobsters while in the water.
Lobster fishermen may possess no more than the daily bag limit of lobsters when on the water. When lobster fishers are off the water, they may possess the daily bag limit on the first day and double the daily bag limit on the second day. During the Aug. 6 through March 31 regular season, the daily recreational bag and on-the-water possession limit is six spiny lobsters per person.
If you are diving in Monroe County be sure to download the lobster fishing brochure.
Lobster harvest is also prohibited at all times in Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary, certain areas in Pennekamp Park, and no-take areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Divers and snorkelers are required to display a “divers-down” flag (red with a white diagonal stripe) while in the water. 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. Dive flags carried on floats must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches. More information on divers-down flag requirements is available online at MyFWC.com/Boating.
More information on recreational spiny lobster fishing, including how to measure spiny lobster, is available online at MyFWC.com/Fishing, under “Saltwater Fishing.”
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