- Florida supplies most of the spiny lobster sold in the U.S.lobster image by pcphotos from Fotolia.com
The population of Florida lobsters, more accurately called spiny lobsters, is not being overfished. There are plenty of lobsters to be found. But to ensure that this seafood delicacy remains in abundant supply, Florida has laws limiting the number and size of lobsters that can be harvested. More than 4 million pounds of spiny lobster were caught in waters off the southeastern U.S. in 2008, and most of that came from Florida's coastal waters. If you buy lobster tail in the seafood market, what you're actually getting is spiny lobster. - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has established a regular season and a bag limit and size limit for harvesting spiny lobster. The annual regular season is Aug. 6 through March 31. During this season, the bag limit is six lobsters per person per day. To be big enough to keep, the lobster's back shell must be at least three inches long, measured in the water. Harvesters are required to have a measuring tool at all times. There is a two-day sport season on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of every July. The bag limit is six per person per day for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park, and 12 per person per day for the rest of Florida.
- To harvest lobster, a recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit are required. The cost, as of 2010, was $5 for an annual lobster permit and $17 for an annual saltwater license.
- Most Florida lobsters are caught off the southern end of the state. However, there are some areas where it is prohibited to capture lobsters. These are Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park and some areas in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
- Florida Statute 379.245 states that within three days after the season closes, a seafood dealer who intends to sell spiny lobster during closed season must report to the FWC the quantity of lobster the dealer has as of the date the season closed. Violators are subject to a fine of $500 for the first offense.
- Florida Statute 1379.367 states that commercial harvesters using traps must have a permit called a "spiny lobster endorsement." The cost is $125 annually. Any commercial harvester who takes lobster by any means other than traps must pay an annual fee of $100. The law also makes it a felony for a commercial harvester to bother traps, lines or buoys belonging to another person.
