Extra Day Added to Lobster Mini Season, Thank You Governor!
- Posted on
- By Nikole Heath
Extra Day Added to Lobster Mini Season, Thank You Governor!
Courtesy of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida residents received one extra day of lobster-diving this year! From Midnight to Midnight on July 14 (Sunday) divers will be lining up to go get some dinner before the regular mini season (July 24 & 25) and regular lobster season (Aug 6) starts.
What do you need to know about this Extra Day...here are the rules FWC put out about July 14, 2024.
- Only Florida Residents will be permitted to dive on July 14, and must have a current FWC Fishing License with a Lobster Stamp. Get your license here.
- You cannot possess any lobsters in federal waters...Atlantic harvest is restricted to 3 miles from shore & in the Gulf restricted to 9 miles.
- Same bag limits apply, 6 per person in Monroe County & Biscayne National Park, 12 everywhere else.
- No harvest or possession of egg-bearing lobsters
- No use of traps on July 14
- Cannot use any devices that will puncture or penetrate the exoskeleton (shell) or flesh of the lobster.
- When on the boat, lobsters must be kept in tacked and must not exceed the bag limit.
- Back at the dock, possession limit is equal to the daily bag limit on July 14, only then can you tail your lobsters. Possession limits will be enforced on and off the water by FWC.
- Same minimum size limit, carapace length must be larger than 3 inches and MUST be measured in the water with a measuring device.
- Harvest of lobster is prohibited in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Everglades National Park, Dry Tortuga National Park, no-take areas in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and other areas of Biscayne National Park on July 14.
- All charter captains MUST be Florida residents (have proof of residency) as well on July 14.
- Whether snorkeling, freediving or scuba diving remain 300ft from the boat and display an approved dive flag. If you are going from shore, must use a Dive Flag on a float. Please use the buddy system while hunting and watch your gauges or timers during your hunting activity.
These are just a few things to be aware of so that you can be prepared for the extra lobster mini season day!
Nikole Heath is Force-E's Social Media gal and a scuba instructor. She takes the time to get divers together by creating fun educational events, both in person or online, so that our dive community will stay active and will want to learn more about our oceans and the things in it!