Mini-season question...

[Capt Gary]

I think the answer is clearly stated in the rules for mini-lobster season this way.

Bag limits are only for properly licensed individuals and those people exempt from license requirements who are actively harvesting, and those people harvesting may not exceed their individual bag limit and take someone else’s bag limit. That is, people (including children) who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for purposes of bag limits.

Here's the link for all the rules in the Keys. Florida Keys Treasures Mini Lobster Season



Good Diving,

 

[Jupiter31]

it's not my first mini-season, but it is my first mini-season boating myself. I'm an experienced boater, so no worries on that, but thanks for the advice, I've seen how chaotic it gets down there.

secondly, I don't see what's wrong with one person catching another's limit, if both are present and both have valid licenses. I just don't see how it is unethical. There's a big difference between going out getting your limit, then going back in, dropping them off and redoing the process... and just catching the limit for someone who is present and has a valid license...

Jack

PS if floridians really hate this kind of thing, then why are they the ones sending me PM's telling me how to do it?

Not all of us....

The mini season is an economic positive for the state, especially SE FL and the Keys.

I quit doing the mini season years ago because:

It was crazy & dangerous - you have folks who's only dive during the year is for mini season; boats all over the place and little respect for a dive flag - the traffic in the Keys is terrible, too

The idea that "...we gotta murder the lobsters..." gotta get as many as wre can, that philosophy - If you have done mini season, you know exactly what I mean

I'm no "purest" - every year I buy a license, and throughout the season will take a few - I just don't like what mini season has turned into

 

[littlejohn]

Is it legal? No
Is it ethical? No
Can you get away with it? If they catch you they can take your car, boat, and all your dive gear.
Anything used in taking or transporting game in fla is subject to search and can be taken.

Don't fret, you can buy it back at auction.

 

[DebbyDiver]

Don't fret, you can buy it back at auction.

 

[100days-a-year]

Meanwhile the culprits responsible for most of the lobster take and the damage to the reef get a free pass.

The limit used to be 24 per boat or 12 per then they phased out the 24 per boat and lastly 12 per day in the Keys was reduced to 6.All politically motivated by the lobbyists supporting commercial trapping.

Whether it is legal is simple..no,as are return trips and someone will see that and report it.

Ethics are a personal code and influenced by many factors.In quite a few states it IS legal for a fisherman to catch the limits of other legal liscense holders on the boat.

Another thing to consider is that 95% of the world considers you divers who harvest anything on scuba as unsporting barbarians.

I'd just have snorkel,mask and fins for every person on board,you might even consider going shallow enough for them to try freediving down to help.Most of my bugs come from 10' to 30'.

 

[JackSpearo]

lol do you really find it that funny debby diver?

I agree with 100days, probably politically motivated...

I'm a freediver too, maybe I'll let someone use my scuba gear and I'll freedive for my lobsters...

 

[Walter]

Not to worry, I'll forward your question to the FWC. They'll be around to help you with any legal questions.

 

[DebbyDiver]

lol do you really find it that funny debby diver?

Hmm, on second thought, no, I do NOT think it is funny that you were considering unethical harvesting practices.

 

[ONESPEED]

Another thing to consider is that 95% of the world considers you divers who harvest anything on scuba as unsporting barbarians.

Interesting statistic, I'd like to see the study you based it on.

I hunt w/ SCUBA and as a freediver and in all my travels have yet to be labeled a "barbarian", sure not everyone loves what I do but as a general rule, when you educate them on selective hunting they tend to be pretty o.k. with it.

 

[JackSpearo]

Hmm, on second thought, no, I do NOT think it is funny that you were considering unethical harvesting practices.

well thank God we live in a country where the mere thought (and legitimate question) of doing something doesn't result in guiltiness or an arrest!