| Regulations for Recreational Harvest and Lobster Information for Monroe County, Florida |
Regular Season
The Regular Lobster Season is always August 6 through March 3 I.
Begins at 12:01 am on August 6. Ends at 12:00 midnight on March 31.
State and Federal Waters
Bag Limit: Six (6) per recreational harvester per day
Diving at night for lobster is permitted in state waters.
Prohibited Areas:
• Artificial Habitats in State Waters
• Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary (closed only to the harvest of spiny lobster)
• Everglades National Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
The following no-take areas are marked by 30” diameter round yellow boundary buoys.
• Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs)
• Special-use Research Only Areas
* Ecological Reserves (Tortugas ER. not currently marked, refer to UPS coordinates)
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
• During the Regular Lobster Season no person shall harvest any lobster species from or within any coral formation (patch
reef).
• The following ‘Pennekamp Lobster Exclusion Zones” are closed during the Regular Lobster Season to the harvest of any
lobster species and are marked with white and orange information spar buoys:
Turtle Rocks Basin Hills North Basin Hills East Basin Hills South Higdon’s Reef Cannon Patch
Mosquito Bank North Mosquito Bank South East Three Sisters North Three Sisters South
City of Key Colony Beach
No diving or snorkeling within:
300 feet of improved residential or commercial shoreline, any manmade or private canal, any public or private marina
This rule applies during the 4 days preceding Sport Season and continues until 10 days have elapsed after the opening of
Regular Season.
The Regular Lobster Season is always August 6 through March 3 I.
Begins at 12:01 am on August 6. Ends at 12:00 midnight on March 31.
State and Federal Waters
Bag Limit: Six (6) per recreational harvester per day
Diving at night for lobster is permitted in state waters.
Prohibited Areas:
• Artificial Habitats in State Waters
• Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary (closed only to the harvest of spiny lobster)
• Everglades National Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
The following no-take areas are marked by 30” diameter round yellow boundary buoys.
• Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs)
• Special-use Research Only Areas
* Ecological Reserves (Tortugas ER. not currently marked, refer to UPS coordinates)
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
• During the Regular Lobster Season no person shall harvest any lobster species from or within any coral formation (patch
reef).
• The following ‘Pennekamp Lobster Exclusion Zones” are closed during the Regular Lobster Season to the harvest of any
lobster species and are marked with white and orange information spar buoys:
Turtle Rocks Basin Hills North Basin Hills East Basin Hills South Higdon’s Reef Cannon Patch
Mosquito Bank North Mosquito Bank South East Three Sisters North Three Sisters South
City of Key Colony Beach
No diving or snorkeling within:
300 feet of improved residential or commercial shoreline, any manmade or private canal, any public or private marina
This rule applies during the 4 days preceding Sport Season and continues until 10 days have elapsed after the opening of
Regular Season.
Sport Season
The two day Sport Lobster Season is always the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July.
Begins at 12:01 a.m. on the last Wednesday in July.
Ends at 12:00 midnight on the last Thursday in July.
State and Federal Waters
Bag limit: Six (6) per recreational harvester per day. The two day total of twelve lobster per recreational
harvester in Monroe County, adjacent Federal waters, and Biscayne National Park can only be possessed
when transporting your catch by car on, or after, the second day.
Diving at night for lobster is NOT permitted in Monroe County and adjacent Federal waters. Bully-netting and
hoop-netting is permitted al night. “Night” is I hour after official sunset to 1 hour before official sunrise.
Prohibited Areas:
• Artificial Habitats in State Waters
• Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary (closed only to the harvest of spiny lobster)
• Everglades National Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
The following no-take areas are marked by 30” diameter round yellow boundary buoys.
• Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs)
• Special-use Research Only Areas
• Ecological Reserves (Tortugas ER. not currently marked, refer to OPS coordinates)
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
• All of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is closed during the two day Sport Lobster Season to the
harvest of spiny lobster.
The following areas are under local jurisdiction and subject to the following:
• Unincorporated Monroe County
• Islamorada, Village of Islands
• City of Key Colony Beach *
• City of Marathon
No diving or snorkeling within:
• 300 feet of improved residential
shoreline
• any manmade or private canal
• any public or private marina
** In the City of Key Colony Beach this rule applies during the 4 days preceding Sport Season and continues
until 10 days have elapsed after the opening of Regular Season.
The two day Sport Lobster Season is always the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July.
Begins at 12:01 a.m. on the last Wednesday in July.
Ends at 12:00 midnight on the last Thursday in July.
State and Federal Waters
Bag limit: Six (6) per recreational harvester per day. The two day total of twelve lobster per recreational
harvester in Monroe County, adjacent Federal waters, and Biscayne National Park can only be possessed
when transporting your catch by car on, or after, the second day.
Diving at night for lobster is NOT permitted in Monroe County and adjacent Federal waters. Bully-netting and
hoop-netting is permitted al night. “Night” is I hour after official sunset to 1 hour before official sunrise.
Prohibited Areas:
• Artificial Habitats in State Waters
• Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary (closed only to the harvest of spiny lobster)
• Everglades National Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
The following no-take areas are marked by 30” diameter round yellow boundary buoys.
• Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs)
• Special-use Research Only Areas
• Ecological Reserves (Tortugas ER. not currently marked, refer to OPS coordinates)
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
• All of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is closed during the two day Sport Lobster Season to the
harvest of spiny lobster.
The following areas are under local jurisdiction and subject to the following:
• Unincorporated Monroe County
• Islamorada, Village of Islands
• City of Key Colony Beach *
• City of Marathon
No diving or snorkeling within:
• 300 feet of improved residential
shoreline
• any manmade or private canal
• any public or private marina
** In the City of Key Colony Beach this rule applies during the 4 days preceding Sport Season and continues
until 10 days have elapsed after the opening of Regular Season.
Facts For All Seasons:
What To Know Before You Go...
Bag Limits: The federal bag limit cannot be combined with the state bag limit.
Possession: Lobster must be of legal size before they are in possession. NOTE: You may not have lobster in your
possession in Everglades National Park.
Egg-bearing (berried) spiny lobster and ridged slipper lobster (also commonly known as shovelnose or bulldozer
lobster) must be released unharmed. Stripping egg-bearing females of eggs and possession of spiny or ridged
slipper lobster tails from which eggs have been removed is prohibited. Eggs are an orange, yellow, brown, or red
mass found covering the underside of the lobster’s tail.
Gear such as spears, hooks, wire snares, and any device which could puncture, penetrate, or crush the shell of the
lobster is prohibited.
“Bully—netting” is defined as using a circular frame attached at a right angle to the end of a pole and supporting a
conical bag of webbing. Possession of bully nets is prohibited in Everglades National Park.
•
“Hoop-netting” is defined as using a frame, circular or otherwise, supporting a shallow bag of webbing and
suspended by a line and bridles. Possession of hoop nets is prohibited in Everglades National Park.
“Artificial Habitat” is defined as material (e.g. wood, metal, concrete, plastic) that has been placed to provide cover
and habitat for spiny lobster. Does not include fishing gear allowed by the Commission or Florida-DEP or Army
Corps permitted artificial reefs (e.g. Duane. Eagle. Thunderbolt).
License Requirements: Recreational harvesters are required to possess a valid Florida Saltwater Fishing License
with a current crawfish endorsement. Consult your license agent for exceptions to licensing requirements.
Spanish and slipper lobster are closed year round to harvest in Key Largo and Looe Key Existing Management
Areas. Everglades National Park. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Ecological
Reserves. Sanctuary Preservation Areas and Special-use Research Only Areas. During the Regular Lobster
Season, they are closed to harvest in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Lobster Exclusion Zones and from or
within coral formations (patch reefs) within the Park.
Commercial Lobster traps: It is a felony to molest. damage, or take lobster from traps in state or federal waters.
Dive Flag: All divers and snorkelers in the water are required to prominently display a diver down flag.
Coral is protected from damage and taking in slate and federal waters.
What To Know Before You Go...
Bag Limits: The federal bag limit cannot be combined with the state bag limit.
Possession: Lobster must be of legal size before they are in possession. NOTE: You may not have lobster in your
possession in Everglades National Park.
Egg-bearing (berried) spiny lobster and ridged slipper lobster (also commonly known as shovelnose or bulldozer
lobster) must be released unharmed. Stripping egg-bearing females of eggs and possession of spiny or ridged
slipper lobster tails from which eggs have been removed is prohibited. Eggs are an orange, yellow, brown, or red
mass found covering the underside of the lobster’s tail.
Gear such as spears, hooks, wire snares, and any device which could puncture, penetrate, or crush the shell of the
lobster is prohibited.
“Bully—netting” is defined as using a circular frame attached at a right angle to the end of a pole and supporting a
conical bag of webbing. Possession of bully nets is prohibited in Everglades National Park.
•
“Hoop-netting” is defined as using a frame, circular or otherwise, supporting a shallow bag of webbing and
suspended by a line and bridles. Possession of hoop nets is prohibited in Everglades National Park.
“Artificial Habitat” is defined as material (e.g. wood, metal, concrete, plastic) that has been placed to provide cover
and habitat for spiny lobster. Does not include fishing gear allowed by the Commission or Florida-DEP or Army
Corps permitted artificial reefs (e.g. Duane. Eagle. Thunderbolt).
License Requirements: Recreational harvesters are required to possess a valid Florida Saltwater Fishing License
with a current crawfish endorsement. Consult your license agent for exceptions to licensing requirements.
Spanish and slipper lobster are closed year round to harvest in Key Largo and Looe Key Existing Management
Areas. Everglades National Park. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Ecological
Reserves. Sanctuary Preservation Areas and Special-use Research Only Areas. During the Regular Lobster
Season, they are closed to harvest in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Lobster Exclusion Zones and from or
within coral formations (patch reefs) within the Park.
Commercial Lobster traps: It is a felony to molest. damage, or take lobster from traps in state or federal waters.
Dive Flag: All divers and snorkelers in the water are required to prominently display a diver down flag.
Coral is protected from damage and taking in slate and federal waters.
Measuring Lobster
Each harvester must have a gauge made for
measuring lobster while harvesting in the water..
All lobster must be measured in the water and
released unharmed if undersized.
Lobster carapace must be greater than three (3)
inches.
All recreationally harvested lobster must remain in
whole condition while at sea.
Tails can only be separated on land. When the tail is
separated from the body, it must be greater than
5-1/2 inches.
Each harvester must have a gauge made for
measuring lobster while harvesting in the water..
All lobster must be measured in the water and
released unharmed if undersized.
Lobster carapace must be greater than three (3)
inches.
All recreationally harvested lobster must remain in
whole condition while at sea.
Tails can only be separated on land. When the tail is
separated from the body, it must be greater than
5-1/2 inches.
Lobstering Is Prohibited In The Following Areas:
Artificial Habitats in State Water
Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary (closed only to the harvest of spiny lobster)
Everglades National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
The following no-take areas are marked by 30” diameter round yellow boundary buoys:
• Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs)
• Carysfort Reef • Cheeca Rocks • Elbow • Alligator Reef • Key Largo Dry Rocks • Coffins Patch • Grecian Rocks • Sombrero Key
• French Reef • Lone Key • Molasses Reef • Newfound Harbor • Conch Reef • Eastern Dry Rocks • Hen and Chickens • Rock Key
• Davis Reef • Sand Key • Special Research Only Areas • Conch Reef • Looe Key Patch Reef • Tennessee Reef • Eastern Sambo
• Ecolouical Reserves • Western Sambo • Tortugas (not currently marked, refer to GPS coordinates)
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
All of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is closed during the two day Sport Lobster Season to the harvest of spiny lobster.
During the Regular Lobster Season no person shall harvest any lobster species from or within any coral formation (patch reef).
The following “Pennekamp Lobster Exclusion Zones” are closed during the Regular Lobster Season to the harvest of any lobster species and are marked with white and
orange information spar buoys:
• Turtle Rocks • Basin Hills North • Basin Hills East • Basin Hills South • Higdon’s Reef • Cannon Patch
• Mosquito Bank North • Mosquito Bank South East • Three Sisters North • Three Sisters South
Artificial Habitats in State Water
Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary (closed only to the harvest of spiny lobster)
Everglades National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
The following no-take areas are marked by 30” diameter round yellow boundary buoys:
• Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs)
• Carysfort Reef • Cheeca Rocks • Elbow • Alligator Reef • Key Largo Dry Rocks • Coffins Patch • Grecian Rocks • Sombrero Key
• French Reef • Lone Key • Molasses Reef • Newfound Harbor • Conch Reef • Eastern Dry Rocks • Hen and Chickens • Rock Key
• Davis Reef • Sand Key • Special Research Only Areas • Conch Reef • Looe Key Patch Reef • Tennessee Reef • Eastern Sambo
• Ecolouical Reserves • Western Sambo • Tortugas (not currently marked, refer to GPS coordinates)
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
All of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is closed during the two day Sport Lobster Season to the harvest of spiny lobster.
During the Regular Lobster Season no person shall harvest any lobster species from or within any coral formation (patch reef).
The following “Pennekamp Lobster Exclusion Zones” are closed during the Regular Lobster Season to the harvest of any lobster species and are marked with white and
orange information spar buoys:
• Turtle Rocks • Basin Hills North • Basin Hills East • Basin Hills South • Higdon’s Reef • Cannon Patch
• Mosquito Bank North • Mosquito Bank South East • Three Sisters North • Three Sisters South
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