Searching for Spiny Lobster in Destin Area

[Here There be Lobsters]

Hi! Please let me know if I have put this thread in the wrong place.

I am currently working on a project to understand population connectivity and fishery recruitment of the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus). We aim to reveal how different lobster populations throughout the Caribbean and surrounding regions are interconnected, which is vital for informing policies to maintain or improve the productivity of these fisheries.

For this project, I have received funding to potentially travel to the Destin, FL area in either October or November. The goal is to acquire legs from 30 Caribbean spiny lobster individuals, ideally sampled from a fish market. I was wondering if anyone had recommendations on where to dive or purchase locally collected lobsters?

 

[Johnoly]

Hi! Please let me know if I have put this thread in the wrong place.

I am currently working on a project to understand population connectivity and fishery recruitment of the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus). We aim to reveal how different lobster populations throughout the Caribbean and surrounding regions are interconnected, which is vital for informing policies to maintain or improve the productivity of these fisheries.

For this project, I have received funding to travel to the Destin, FL area

There are basically 4 funding sources for spiny research which is conducted by SEDAR. I know those research applications haven't been approved yet. You may have Eco funding but your data still won't be accepted. Do you know the county where 90% of the FL spiny lobsters are harvested ?

The goal is to acquire legs from 30 Caribbean spiny lobster individuals, whether caught via scuba or sampled from a fish market.

You are not allow 30 lobsters, only 6 caught via scuba. You can contact the Gulf Council for lobster suppliers that is traced back to a licensed Fish Wholesaler. Trip tickets and lot tracking can determine it's origin since that source is probably imported from another country or brought in from SE Florida. If you really want help >> You need to post a picture/pdf of your research permit here. If you are still working on your graduate degree, then post your Thesis Statement here.

I was wondering if anyone had recommendations on where to dive, snorkel, or purchase locally collected lobsters?

Departing from the Destin area, you will most likely be almost to the middle grounds(it's deep). Spiny forensic data isn't done by scuba since looping, grabbing & netting stresses the lobster and corrupts the data. It's mostly done by traps with very detailed data logs and even acoustical tags.

 

[oldschool45]

Best Fish Market in that area is here Shop – Joe Pattis might want to call them and see if they get local spiny's.