Legal size of spiny lobsters?

[ifukuda]

Is the minimum size of a spiny lobster that I am (as a recreational diver with a fishing licence) allowed to catch, different from the minimum size of a spiny lobster that a commerical fisherman is allowed to catch?

I was at a seafood market yesterday that was selling frozen lobster tails that looked way too small. There were a few that weren't much bigger than a huge shrimp. Do you think these are legal?

 

[njdiver1]

Here is the site for the regulations on "lobster' in Florida:


http://marinefisheries.org/Ch68B-24.htm


This is the section on size limits:


68B-24.003 Minimum Size Limits. --


Be aware that these regulations only apply to State waters up to three miles out. Federal regulations for beyond three miles may differ.

 

[njdiver1]

asking the same on this forum:


http://diver.net/bbs/

 

[kelpmermaid]

I think the current minimum size is 3 1/4 inches - that's the carapace length from the eyes down the tail. your LDS may have limits posted. Are you sure the animals you saw in the market were local fellows?

 

[Tavi]

I was told lobsters can Not be taken on scuba, but can be taken snorkeling. I don't know about size.

Just in case you get over that way. :

 

[njdiver1]

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fg_comm/spfish2001wkrweb.pdf


29.90. Spiny Lobsters.
(a) Open season: From the Saturday preceding
the first Wednesday in October through the first
Wednesday after the 15th of March.
(b) Limit: Seven.
(c) Minimum size: Three and one-fourth inches
measured in a straight line on the mid-line of the
back from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear
edge of the body shell. Any lobster may be brought
to the surface of the water for the purpose of
measuring, but no undersize lobster may be brought
aboard any boat, placed in any type of receiver, kept
on the person or retained in any person’s possession
or under his direct control; all lobsters shall be
measured immediately upon being brought to the
surface of the water, and any undersize lobster shall
be released immediately into the water.