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. Like spiny lobsters during lobster miniseason, bugfestbythesea is right around the reef. The florida mini lobster season scuba diving news, gear. This year the mini season falls on july 26th and 27th. If youre planning a vacation in the florida keys at the end of july, youll be in for a tasty treat with the start of mini lobster season. Following this is the regular 8 month lobster season, which is always august 6th through march 31st. Summertime is here and everyone is working extra hard to get visitors out on the water.
Hear about the lovehate relationship with lobster miniseason in the florida keys. In addition to the lobster, we celebrate miniseason with our annual minilobster hop. Florida keys minilobster season 2017 day 1 youtube. Divers find lobsters on the first day of lobster miniseason. Carapace must be larger than 3, measured in the water. Spiny lobster trap tag fees waived for 201819 season fwc. The regular eightmonth lobster season opens august 6 and runs through march 31. Make sure to always verify dates and regulations with florida fish and wildlife it begins at 12. This tradition was started in 1975 allowing only recreational divers to harvest spiny lobster during this two. Possession and use of a measuring device required at all times. Harvest of lobster is prohibited in john pennekamp coral reef state park during the sport season and in everglades national park, dry tortugas national park, no. The 2021 mini lobster season like all lobster mini seasons is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july.
We take a family trip down to the florida keys for some lobstering. This page was created to gain support to cancel lobster mini season in the florida keys, the devastation of our waters is not worth the. Lobster miniseason gets off to a slow start cbs miami. Oct 24, 2017 mini season started in the 70s as a way to reduce conflict between lobster hunters and commercial lobster fishermen commercial can set their traps august 1 st. The annual twoday mini lobster fishing season began at. Lobsters beware, the season begins at midnight july 26th and ends july 27th at midnight. This year the mini lobster season is july 2425, 2019 last consecutive wednesday and thursday of july each year. Find out how to measure a spiny lobster harvest of lobster is prohibited in john pennekamp coral reef state park during the sport season and. The fwc said more than 236,000 sportsmen and women in florida possess a.
Fwc news twoday mini lobster season july 2930 coastal. Spiny lobster must have a minimum carapace length of at least 3 inches and must be measured in the water. Miami, fl south florida is awash in recreational fishermen this week hoping to bag one of the sunshine states flavorful spiny lobsters. Floridas highlyanticipated lobster miniseason kicks off. An information booth to assist potential divers during lobster mini season is open from 9 a. Yesterday, i ventured out on my first prospective dive of the season departing the hillsboro inlet on the east coast of florida in. Wednesday with several early birds scoring good starts to the twoday event. In greater fort lauderdale, mini lobster season is not merely a chance to catch the spiny lobsters floridian waters are known for it is cause for celebration.
Dive in with chiefy lobster mini season go boating florida. Jul 23, 2016 in 2015, sport season divers were offered the opportunity to take one extra lobster seven per day instead of six if they had already captured 10 or more invasive lionfish during mini season. The mini lobster season is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july. Jul 26, 2017 the 2017 twoday lobster mini season got underway at 12. The mini season, or sport season, are the last consecutive wednesday and thursday of july. Our first night we leave the cameras at home and find some bugs, but our. Most lobster hunters are honest and wellintentioned. Jul 19, 2018 the 2018 twoday mini spiny lobster fishing season will begin at 12 a. The twoday sprint for a limit of tasty crustaceans in warm florida waters is nearly here. The mini season dates are always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july and begins at 12. The 2018 twoday mini spiny lobster fishing season will begin at 12 a. Jul 22, 2014 with florida lobster mini season just over one week away, its time to get out on the water and scout out these tasty florida creatures. During the miniseason bag limits are smaller and lobster diving at night is illegal. Jul 27, 2015 the mini lobster season is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july.
Lobster miniseason lauderdalebythesea, florida facebook. With florida lobster mini season just over one week away, its time to get out on the water and scout out these tasty florida creatures. Miami cbsmiami south florida divers and lobster lovers will soon be hitting the water for the states annual twoday lobster miniseason. We traveled from the west coast of florida on a beneteau 47 to key west florida where we participated in the mini season. Lobster miniseason returns this week in south florida. The twoday sport event takes place the last wednesday and thursday of every july, and is a hit all throughout florida. Lobster mini season 2017 ft lauderdale, fl youtube. Lobster mini season tropical living by keys weekly.
The daily bag limit is six per person for monroe county and biscayne national park and twelve per person for rest of florida and those possession limits are enforced on and off the water. Florida lobstering how to catch the florida spiny lobster. Coast guard conducts safety boardings during mini lobster season in key west, fl, by po1 sara romero, identified by dvids, must comply with the restrictions shown on. Jul 25, 2018 lobster divers across florida have 48 hours to catch their daily bag limit during the lobster mini season. T he water is warm, seas are calm, and dive shops are booming. Possession limits are enforced on and off the water night diving is prohibited in monroe county only during the sport season harvest of lobster is prohibited in john pennekamp coral reef state park during the sport season and in everglades national park, dry tortugas national park, notake areas in the florida keys national marine sanctuary and in the biscayne baycard sound lobster. The regular eight month lobster season soon follows and is always from august 6th through march 31th. Coast guard and fish and wildlife conservation conducts boardings during mini lobster season in key west, fl, by po1 sara romero, identified by dvids, must comply with the. Jul 26, 2017 miami cbsmiami lobster miniseason got off to a slow start at the stroke of midnight. Eager divers hit the waters as lobster miniseason 2018 gets underway.
The florida keys have other local rules for the sport spiny lobster season. Miniseason is a nonissue for the lobster population, fwc lobster expert tom matthews said. Theres always a critique among people about miniseason. Jul 27, 2016 the 2016 lobster mini season opened at 12.
Treasure coast diver fatalities during lobster miniseason. Lasting for two days on july 25th and 26 th, mini lobster season brings together a host of lobster hunters, all clawing their way through the coastal waters surrounding. July 27 ahead of augusts regular season, which will be open to both recreational and commercial. The 2day spiny lobster event is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july. Published on jul 30, 2017 the 2017 florida lobster miniseason. Lobster miniseason, always the last consecutive wednesdaythursday of july, is the only time its legal to catch and harvest spiny lobsters before regular season opens.
Ed hedicke left, david and denise rhuda, of lake wales, caught 10 lobsters on the first day of lobster miniseason wednesday, july 26, 2017. Mini lobster season is almost here, a time when those tasty crustaceans are hunted by thousands of boaters as they hit the seas of south florida armed with snorkels, scuba gear and tickle sticks. Jun 05, 2019 this year the mini lobster season is july 2425, 2019 last consecutive wednesday and thursday of july each year. Spiny lobster season florida keys rules florida keys treasures. Wednesday and just two and a half hours later, the first resource arrest for the sport diving days in the florida keys occurred. Lobster miniseason in the florida keys saw one death on the water and a stack of conservation and boating violations, but the twoday event was tranquil compared to some in. The first day of mini season 2017 diving off of ft lauderdale, florida beach. The eve of regular lobster season is near fl keys news. Lobster population appears in good shape ahead of miniseason. Spiny lobster have a minimum size limit that must be larger than 3 carapace shown in the photo below, measured in the water. In the keys, lobster miniseason is a holiday and an ordeal. There are two florida lobster seasons, the 2 day mini lobster season and the 8 month regular lobster season. Among all the days, july 26th and 27th will be two of the busiest this year.
Fungi mushrooms play important role in florida keys ecosystem. This year the mini season falls on july 29th and 30th. For the first day of minilobster season here in the florida keys, i headed out to the backcountry. Every july the coastal areas of florida are flooded with lobster hunters trying to get their share of this years bounty when the. First arrests made as fl lobster miniseason starts miami. July 2627, 2017 last consecutive wednesday and thursday of july each year. The 2017 twoday lobster miniseason got underway at 12. Planning on catching some of these tasty crustaceans. Yesterday, i ventured out on my first prospective dive of the season departing the hillsboro inlet on the east coast of florida in pompano beach. Miami cbsmiami lobster miniseason got off to a slow start at the stroke of midnight. They launched from the stan blum boat ramp at pepper. Divers can take home 12 lobsters per day, except divers in the keys. Minilobster season opens lobster season and is a great time to be at the bpkfl. The hop features a skit, awards for the largest lobster, and finishes up with a night of dancing and fun.
Everything from appetizers to full meals is available. Every july the coastal areas of florida are flooded with lobster hunters trying to get their share of this years bounty when the official mini lobster season kicks off. Jul 25, 2017 miami, fl south florida is awash in recreational fishermen this week hoping to bag one of the sunshine states flavorful spiny lobsters. The daily bag limit is six per person for monroe county and biscayne national park and twelve per person for rest of florida and. One of the first arrests of the 2018 lobster miniseason happened about an hour before the season actually began. Near perfect weather conditions on the ocean for this years miniseason, found many divers out on the water in southeast florida. Next year the mini season falls on july 28th and 29th.
Mini season is a nonissue for the lobster population, fwc lobster expert tom matthews said. Lasting for two days on july 25th and 26 th, mini lobster season brings together a host of lobster hunters. Floridas spiny lobster miniseason is this wednesday and thursday, july 2526. Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission officers stopped a small boat. Lobster mini season tropical living by keys weekly newspapers. Lobster miniseason underway wsvn 7news fort lauderdale. Bugfestbythesea florida mini lobster season official. Theres always a critique among people about mini season. Divers finding lobsters on first day of lobster mini. If you need any assistance planning your trip from places to stay, restaurants, or activities please contact our office directly at 3052942587. Cancel lobster mini season for the florida keys home. The two day spiny lobster sport season is always the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july.
Jul 20, 2018 miami cbsmiami south florida divers and lobster lovers will soon be hitting the water for the states annual twoday lobster miniseason. A clawfully good time in the florida keys this mini. First arrests made as fl lobster miniseason starts miami herald. Sponsored again by reef safe, this years event is from tuesday, july 23, 2019, to saturday, july 27, 2019, and features a free concert on july 27 to benefit diveheart, a nonprofit that teaches people with disabilities how to scuba dive. Jun 18, 2018 lobster miniseason, always the last consecutive wednesdaythursday of july, is the only time its legal to catch and harvest spiny lobsters before regular season opens. Recreational harvesters are required to possess a valid florida saltwater. Jul 26, 2017 ed hedicke left, david and denise rhuda, of lake wales, caught 10 lobsters on the first day of lobster mini season wednesday, july 26, 2017. Lobster miniseason in florida spiny lobster harvesting. July 25th july 26th book your florida keys hotel early because the islands fill up for this annual popular event. Bugfest by the sea, a weeklong festival designed to highlight recreational lobstering and south florida dive culture, presents a unique chance to experience mini season like never before. A clawfully good time in the florida keys this mini lobster.
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