Lobster mini season opens Wednesday and Thursday in Florida

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The two-day spiny recreational lobster season will take place across the state on Wednesday and Thursday.

The special two-day season occurs on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July each year to let recreational fisherman collect spiny lobsters before the commercial lobster season begins, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

Commercial fishermen may begin putting their traps in the water on Aug. 1 and recreational and commercial fishermen may harvest spiny lobsters starting Aug. 6.

Law enforcement officers from the FWC and other agencies will be on patrol to ensure that divers adhere to harvest limits, and that they don’t take undersized and egg-bearing lobsters. During the two-day spiny lobster sport season, recreational divers and snorkelers can take up to six lobsters per person daily in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park waters, and 12 lobsters per person daily in other Florida waters.

Night-diving for spiny lobster is prohibited during the two-day season in Monroe County, and all harvest of lobsters is prohibited in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo during the two-day season.

Divers and snorkelers who are not exempt from recreational license requirements must have a recreational saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit to harvest spiny lobster recreationally.

To be a legal harvest, a lobster’s head section, or carapace, must be be at least 3 inches. Divers must possess a measuring device and measure all lobsters in the water.

For more information visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.