Boating & Fishing

MIAMI (CBS4 News) ― At the stroke of midnight divers hit the water and boaters dipped their bully nets to launch the start of Florida's two day lobster mini-season.

By 6 a.m. Dorian Reyes was back on the dock at Crandon Park marina with his limit.

"We went out bully-netting at 12:01 a.m. and each and every hour we caught one til were reached our 12 per person limit," Reyes told CBS4 reporter Marybel Rodriguez.

Reyes said there weren't as many 'bugs' out there this year compared to previous years, but he was satisfied.

"We didn't get a lot, but enough for dinner," said Reyes. "Just a little garlic butter, chop it down the middle and put it on the grill with a big steak next to it."

Out at the Crandon Park marina, some divers and boaters who hit the water just past midnight were back on the dock by 5 a.m. with nothing to show for their efforts.

But later in the day, others found themselves hitting their quote in under two hours!  "We just go over there; they wait for us." diver Norman Lanthier told Rodriguez.  "They look at us, say, 'Hey! Come and pick me!'"

In Pompano Beach, four divers were pulled from the water after their boat sank. Pompano Beach Fire-Rescue Capt. Randy DeVore says one diver made a distress call just past 2 a.m. saying their boat was going down. The men were found a short time later and were taken to shore by a Sea Tow boat.

Florida's two-day lobster mini-season, dubbed Florida's undeclared midsummer state holiday, kicked off at 12:01 a.m. and runs through midnight Thursday July 30th.

The lobster mini-season brings with it a significant increase in the number of boaters and divers along South Florida's coastal waters and this increase in boating activity will continue to lead to more accidents if boaters and divers forget to practice safety first.

One of the most important things boaters can do before they leave for their day or night on the water is file a float plan, according to John Corbett with the U.S. Coast Guard.

"It lets your friends, family or loved ones know where you are going to be, how long you are going to be and when you are going to return. That way if we have to go out and look for you, we already know where you're at and we can find you quickly."


So here are some other safety tips to remember before and during a dive:

• Never dive by yourself!
• File a floatplan with a family member or friend.
• Mark the area you are diving with a dive flag. This is a requirement.
• Check your dive equipment.
• Know procedures for medical treatment like CPR

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In addition to safety tips, you should also know the rules about the 48-hour mini-season. Fast Facts: Lobster Mini-Season Rules.

*You must have a recreational saltwater fishing license and a crawfish stamp to take lobsters.

*The mini-season bag limit is six lobsters per person per day in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park and 12 per person in the rest of the state.

The lobsters must be legal and we're not talking 18 years or over.

*Spiny lobster must have a minimum carapace length of more than 3 inches and must be measured in the water. 

Click Here to learn 'How to Measure Spiny Lobster'

*Possession and use of a measuring device is required at all times.

*Lobsters must remain in whole condition while in or on the water.

*No egg-bearing females may be taken.

*Night diving is prohibited in Monroe County during the 48-hour mini-season.

Click Here for more Monroe County Rules & Regulations.

Most lobster violations are second-degree misdemeanors, which are punishable by up to a $500 fine and/or up to 60 days in jail.

Scores of federal, state and local marine law-enforcement officers are patrolling waterways, marinas and boat ramps. Their job is to keep people safe and to prevent the much-sought-after animals and their habitat from being trashed.

"We're going to have officers out working in an undercover capacity looking for people who insist on violating the law," said Jorge Pino with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

To report lobster violations, call Wildlife Alert at 888-404-3922.

(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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