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Lobster Mini-Season Kicks Off This Week
2-Day Mini-Season Starts 12:01 a.m. Wednesday July 29th
Ends 11:59 p.m. Thursday July 30th
MIAMI (CBS4 News) ―
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These six lobsters were not of legal size and were thrown back into the ocean after being measured by Coast Guard officials in Marathon in July 2006. USCG photo by PA3 James P. Judge
Grab your tickle sticks then get the drawn butter and those lobster bibs ready.
Florida's two-day lobster mini-season, dubbed Florida's undeclared midsummer state holiday, runs from 12:01 a.m. Wednesday July 29th to 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
.
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 will be 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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