Lobster mini season which falls on July 25th and 26th this year, is always the last Wednesday and Thursday in July, and it usually brings around 25,000 visitors to the Florida Keys. During this two day lobster bonanza, each properly licensed snorkeler and diver is allowed to take up to six legal sized lobsters per day. Night snorkeling and diving is not permitted during this event, but bully-netting from a boat is permitted at night.
Mini-season allows for lobster lovers to enjoy being on the water while catching a few of these critters before the opening of the regular lobster season which starts on August 6th. But we want everyone to be safe on the water so please remain mindful of the rules.
The number of FWC officers patrolling on and off the water during mini season will be about twice as many as usual and will include undercover agents as well as police dogs trained to sniff out lobsters. For questions about regulations in regards to mini season, contact the FWC. If you get caught breaking the law in regards to catching lobsters illegally, taking more than your limit, or taking undersized lobsters, you will not pass go, you will not collect $200. You will go directly to jail!
So, follow the rules and be safe on the water. Use a dive flag and dive with a buddy. Personally, I stay off of the water these two days and get my lobster at Publix to avoid the boating chaos.
For suggestions on where to take your freshly caught lobsters to be prepared for you, check out my restaurant reviews at http://www.gotothekeys.com/key_west_restaurant_reviews.htm. And feel free to call us at 1-888-362-3474 if you are looking for last minute accommodations; you never know, you may get lucky!
For more information about things to do and see in our island city, go to our Key West Web Site. You can also visit our Key West Events Calendar to see more details on upcoming special events.
And for more restaurant reviews check out our restaurant review section of this blog as well as our restaurant reviews at www.gotothekeys.com.
