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

[TommyinMiami]

but they are still spiny lobsters, if anyone can find anything written on this i'd love to see it

 

[Johnoly]

but they are still spiny lobsters, if anyone can find anything written on this i'd love to see it

No they are not spiney's in the eyes of the law and you are combining terms and names and that is what is confusing you.

You are correct, there are 3 different types of lobsters found in Florida. Only 1 (Spiney) of the 3 has regulations written on it. The other 2 (Spanish - Scyllarides nodifer) & (Spotted- P. guttatus) do not and are not regulated. You may say "Spotted Spiney" but the FWC regs do not, they only say Spiney. Don't link the terms Spotted & Spiney together when reading regulations.

The answer to your question is Yes, you can catch any size spotted any time of the year, even under 3", they are unregulated. I have caught thousands of lobsters in Florida and have never seen a spotted with a 3 inch carapiece, they just don't get that big and you'll rarely see them out in daylight, only at night time.

If you need to know the difference between a spotted and a spiney, just ask.

 

[TommyinMiami]

Did you just like make up everything you just wrote

Sorry but you are completely wrong

The spotted spiny spiny lobster is a spiny lobster even FWC clearly says so its right smack on their lobster laws page Division of Marine Fisheries - Management

Spanish lobster is not Scyllarides nodifer its Scyllarides aequinoctialis. nodifer is Ridged Slipper Lobster.

There are not just 3 types of edible lobsters to catch. there are 9. But only 2 catagories (Family) Spiny or Slipper and yes indeed Spotted Spiny is included under the Family Spiny. and it's full common name is Spotted Spiny Lobster. The common lobster's full name is Carabean Spiny Lobster not just Spiny Lobster as you've refered to it.

It's great that you know your stuff, but not so great that what you know is all wrong.

I'm just looking for something on paper or the net that I can print out and keep with me on the boat. Lobster tastes great, but not worth getting arrested for.

I believe you lobster all the time just like I do. Cause I only see the spotted at night also and never 3" long Carp. usually like about 2 - 2 1/2"
but for sure those little spotted ones are spiney, a big tip off of members of the spiny lobster family are those big spiney antenas!

I'll have to call or write FWC to get any real answers I suppose.

 

[deepstops]

I'll have to call or write FWC to get any real answers I suppose.

And even then you may find the enforcement varies from officer to officer.

 

[TommyinMiami]

ANSWER FOUND:

Thank you for your e-mail to the Division of Marine Fisheries Management. There are several different lobster species found in Florida's state waters. An image of three of the spiny lobster species in Florida may be found on our website at Division of Marine Fisheries - Management. The spotted lobster (P. guttatus) and the smooth tail lobster (P. lauvicauda) are not covered under the lobster harvesting regulations for spiny lobster (P. argus). Though the spiny lobster and the spotted lobster are not commonly found in the same habitat, it is highly advisable that care should be taken in ensuring the correct identification when harvesting spotted lobster due to the established bag limit and season of the spiny lobster.

The shovel nose, or slipper lobster, species also does not have an established limit in the State of Florida. However, the Florida Administrative Code (FAC) states that the harvest of egg-bearing females is prohibited. Both the spotted and slipper lobsters currently do not have established bag limits. For species that do not have an established bag limit, more than 100 pounds or 2 per person per day (which ever is greater), is considered commercial quantities. A saltwater products license and commercial vessel registration is required to harvest commercial quantities of unregulated species. This information is published in the Florida Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations Newsletter and is viewable online at Fishing Lines.

Also, please be aware that there are certain regional limitations associated with lobster species. Should you be in the Florida Keys, you will need to refer to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary guidelines for harvest. They are accessible on the internet at Welcome to the NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the current brochure on the harvest of lobster in the keys is available at http://myfwc.com/marine/Lobster-Brochure.pdf.

Also, there may be additional gear restrictions applied in certain regions. For further clarification, contact the nearest FWC Regional office. FWC Regional office contact information may be found at FWC Regional Offices.

For full text rule, please visit the FAC online at redirect-Florida Administrative Weekly - Division of Elections - Department of State and reference Chapter 68B-24 and 68B-11 for Lobster.

I hope that this information is of use to you. Please feel free to contact us should you require further information.