Bag and size limits for slipper and spotted lobsters???

[TommyinMiami]

So I know that regular spiny lobster has a season and bag limits for monroe 6 and dade 12 (mini) 6/6 reg

I know that slipper lobsters have no bag limit , size limit, and the season is year round.

A dive shop told me that the spotted spiny lobster... (you know the ones that don't grow that big) that they also have no bag limit or closed season.

Can anyone confirm this or direct me to a page on the fwc website.

I've looked all over to find it written. It makes sense that there are no size limits for this lobster since its extremely rareif not near impossible to find the spotted spiny lobster with a 3" carapas.

If anyone has any solid info on these please post it up Thanks!

 

[HowardE]

it's true. Only the "spiny lobster" is regulated in Florida.

Other species are unregulated, and have no limits or size specifications.

The FWC is considering regulating the slipper lobster possibly next lobster season, or at least making it illegal to take egg bearing slippers. Right now, you can take eggers, but it's not cool if you ask me.

 

[Ana]

You can't find nothing written because there are no regulations about them.

Now there are a couple of un-written laws about all these type of creatures; an important one: you leave egg-bearing females alone. I don't think you can get fine by a Marine Patrol for having them but it certainly is bad form. I'm sure it would prompt a detailed search of your vessel if found with one.

 

[deepstops]

So I know that regular spiny lobster has a season and bag limits for monroe 6 and dade 12

I thought 6 lobster limit was statewide for regular season and the 12/6 rule was only during mini (sportsman's) season. Am I mistaken??

 

[HowardE]

I thought 6 lobster limit was statewide for regular season and the 12/6 rule was only during mini (sportsman's) season. Am I mistaken??

you are correct.

during mini-season, it's 6 in Monroe (The Keys), and 12 elsewhere.

Otherwise, it's 6 spiny lobsters (aka saltwater crawfish) per day.

 

[deepstops]

you are correct.

during mini-season, it's 6 in Monroe, and 12 elsewhere.

Otherwise, it's 6 spiny lobsters (aka saltwater crawfish) per day.

Whew

 

[HowardE]

Whew

as if there was any doubt.

 

[reefman]

be aware of the following regulations(there are exceptions to state bag limits in noted areas) , if you plan on harvesting slipper or spotted lobsters within the boundaries of the FKNMS(monroe county),,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/lobster2007.pdf

reefman
key largo

 

[TommyinMiami]

it's true. Only the "spiny lobster" is regulated in Florida.

Other species are unregulated, and have no limits or size specifications.

The FWC is considering regulating the slipper lobster possibly next lobster season, or at least making it illegal to take egg bearing slippers. Right now, you can take eggers, but it's not cool if you ask me.

But my question is, is the Spotted Spiny Lobster, whos carapas doesn't reach 3" still catchable. The FWC just says "spiney lobster" in the info about limits. But there are 3 types of spiney lobster here: Caribbean spiny lobster,
smooth tail spiny lobster, and spotted spiny lobster. I was told by several different people the spotted spiney lobsters are fair game just like the slipper/spanish lobsters are

Just need to confirm this one way or the other.

You can't find nothing written because there are no regulations about them.

Now there are a couple of un-written laws about all these type of creatures; an important one: you leave egg-bearing females alone. I don't think you can get fine by a Marine Patrol for having them but it certainly is bad form. I'm sure it would prompt a detailed search of your vessel if found with one.

It is ileagal to catch egg berring spiney lobsters. and just good practice to release slipper lobsters with eggs, but they are going to ban catching of all egg berring lobsters, but it has not passed yet, and we won't see it till 09. But no regulation other than that has been proposed for all other species of lobster.

 

[HowardE]

Those Small (heavily) Spotted lobsters are a different species. They're unregulated.