Spiny Lobster—General Facts
Commonly referred to as the Florida spiny lobster, the Caribbean spiny lobster inhabits
tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico.
Spiny lobsters get their name from the forward-pointing spines that cover their bodies to
help protect them from predators. They vary in color from almost white to dark red-
orange. Two large, cream-colored spots on the top of the second segment of the tail
make spiny lobsters easy to identify. They have long antennae over their eyes that they
wave to scare off predators and smaller antennae-like structures called antennules that
sense movement and detect chemicals in the water. More about the spiny lobster.
More about Lobstering in the Florida Keys
Lobstering Regulations
The spiny lobster sport season will fall on July 25th and 26th for 2007. The bag limits
are 6 per person per day for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park, and 12 per
person per day for the rest of Florida. The possession limit on the water is equal to the
daily bag limit, and off the water is equal to the daily bag limit on the first day, and double
the daily bag limit on the second day. Possession limits are enforced on and off the
water. Spiny lobster has a minimum size limit that must be larger than 3" carapace,
measured in the water. A reminder that possession and use of a measuring device is
required at all times, and night diving is prohibited in Monroe County (only during the
sport season). A recreational saltwater license and a crawfish permit are needed for
harvest. Regular spiny lobster season is August 6 through March 31. The bag limit is 6
per person per day. Harvest of lobster is prohibited in John Pennekamp Coral Reef
State Park during the sport season. Harvest is also prohibited during both the 2-day
sport season and regular season in Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National
Park, and no take areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Call (305) 743-2437 or visit http://floridakeys.noaa.gov for information about no take
areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Please call the FWC Key West
office at (305) 292-0311 or click here for lobster harvesting regulations for Monroe
County. Recreational trapping of lobster is prohibited.
LOBSTER BAG LIMITS
Monroe County
Biscayne National Park
Elsewhere
2-Day Sport Season (July 25-26) 6 per person per day
6 per person per day
12 per person per day
Regular Season (August 6 – March 31)
6 per person per day
6 per person per day
6 per person per day
Regardless of what species you are fishing for, bag limits are only for properly licensed
individuals and those people exempt from license requirements who are actively
harvesting, and those people harvesting may not exceed their individual bag limit and
take someone else’s bag limit. That is, people (including children) who are not actively
harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for
purposes of bag limits.
Commonly referred to as the Florida spiny lobster, the Caribbean spiny lobster inhabits
tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico.
Spiny lobsters get their name from the forward-pointing spines that cover their bodies to
help protect them from predators. They vary in color from almost white to dark red-
orange. Two large, cream-colored spots on the top of the second segment of the tail
make spiny lobsters easy to identify. They have long antennae over their eyes that they
wave to scare off predators and smaller antennae-like structures called antennules that
sense movement and detect chemicals in the water. More about the spiny lobster.
More about Lobstering in the Florida Keys
Lobstering Regulations
The spiny lobster sport season will fall on July 25th and 26th for 2007. The bag limits
are 6 per person per day for Monroe County and Biscayne National Park, and 12 per
person per day for the rest of Florida. The possession limit on the water is equal to the
daily bag limit, and off the water is equal to the daily bag limit on the first day, and double
the daily bag limit on the second day. Possession limits are enforced on and off the
water. Spiny lobster has a minimum size limit that must be larger than 3" carapace,
measured in the water. A reminder that possession and use of a measuring device is
required at all times, and night diving is prohibited in Monroe County (only during the
sport season). A recreational saltwater license and a crawfish permit are needed for
harvest. Regular spiny lobster season is August 6 through March 31. The bag limit is 6
per person per day. Harvest of lobster is prohibited in John Pennekamp Coral Reef
State Park during the sport season. Harvest is also prohibited during both the 2-day
sport season and regular season in Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National
Park, and no take areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Call (305) 743-2437 or visit http://floridakeys.noaa.gov for information about no take
areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Please call the FWC Key West
office at (305) 292-0311 or click here for lobster harvesting regulations for Monroe
County. Recreational trapping of lobster is prohibited.
LOBSTER BAG LIMITS
Monroe County
Biscayne National Park
Elsewhere
2-Day Sport Season (July 25-26) 6 per person per day
6 per person per day
12 per person per day
Regular Season (August 6 – March 31)
6 per person per day
6 per person per day
6 per person per day
Regardless of what species you are fishing for, bag limits are only for properly licensed
individuals and those people exempt from license requirements who are actively
harvesting, and those people harvesting may not exceed their individual bag limit and
take someone else’s bag limit. That is, people (including children) who are not actively
harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for
purposes of bag limits.
| Lobstering in the Florida Keys |
Spiny Lobster Measurement
Spiny Lobster must have a minimum carapace length of greater than
3-inches and the measurement must take place in the water. The carapace
is measured beginning at the forward edge between the rostral horns,
excluding and soft tissue, and proceeding along the middle to the rear edge
of the carapace.
Spiny Lobster must have a minimum carapace length of greater than
3-inches and the measurement must take place in the water. The carapace
is measured beginning at the forward edge between the rostral horns,
excluding and soft tissue, and proceeding along the middle to the rear edge
of the carapace.
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Keys Fishing
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| Florida Keys Lobstering |
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Florida Keys Fish, Florida Keys Fishing Charters,
Dolphin Fishing, Swordfishing, Florida Keys Fishing
Guides, Florida Keys Offshore Fishing, Florida Keys
Deep Sea Fishing, Florida Keys Flats Fishing,
Florida Keys Back Country Fishing, Tarpon Fishing,
Bonefishing, Florida Keys Fly Fishing, Reef Fishing,
Wreck Fishing, Bridge Fishing, Deep Drop Fishing,
Lobstering in the Florida Keys, Stone Crabbing,
Shrimping, Spearfishing, Fishing Regulations and
much more!