Florida residents have been granted a special opportunity by Governor Ron DeSantis: an extra day to hunt spiny lobsters on July 14, 2024. It's crucial to familiarize yourself with the following regulations, as ignorance will not be accepted as an excuse by law enforcement. Expect heightened water patrols from local and state agencies on this day. Always operate responsibly and understand your limits to avoid risks such as shallow water blackout, which can affect both novice and experienced divers alike.
For Florida residents planning to dive for lobsters on July 14, 2024, there are important regulations to follow. These rules differ from the standard sport season guidelines, as outlined in Executive Order 24-13.
1. **Resident-Only Dive Day**: On July 14, only Florida residents are allowed to harvest lobsters.
2. **Federal Waters Restrictions**: In federal waters, lobster harvests are restricted to:
- Atlantic: Within three miles from shore
- Gulf: Within nine miles from shore
3. **Bag Limits**: The bag limits remain the same as during the sport season:
- Monroe County and Biscayne National Park: 6 lobsters per person
- All other areas: 12 lobsters per person
4. **Possession Limits**:
- **On the Water**: Must not exceed the daily bag limit.
- **Off the Water**: On July 14 and July 24, 2024, the limit is equal to the daily bag limit. On July 25, 2024, the limit is double the daily bag limit. Enforcement applies both on and off the water.
5. **Minimum Size Requirement**: Lobsters must have a carapace length greater than 3 inches, measured in the water. Always carry a measuring device. Learn how to properly measure a spiny lobster.
6. **Night Diving Restrictions**: Night diving is prohibited in Monroe County during the sport season. Note that night diving refers to swimming at or below the surface of the water.
7. **Prohibited Harvest Areas**: Lobster harvesting is banned in the following areas:
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (during sport season)
- Everglades National Park
- Dry Tortugas National Park
- No-take areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
- Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Lobster Sanctuary
- Five Coral Reef Protection Areas in Biscayne National Park
8. **Charter Fishing**: For the special harvest day on July 14, 2024, only charter captains who are Florida residents may be hired. All charter customers must also be Florida residents and provide proof of residency. For regular sport season dates (July 24-25, 2024), this residency requirement does not apply to charter customers.
Adhering to these regulations ensures a safe and lawful lobster harvesting experience. For more information, consult the full Executive Order 24-13.
Available here: https://myfwc.com/about/inside-fwc/executive-orders/