Keys Lobster hunters face new rules

http://www.keysnews.com/334347669562599.bsp.htm

"Roy G. Biv" <captkeywest@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:a6c3deff.0307220609.71761140@posting.google.c om...
> http://www.keysnews.com/334347669562599.bsp.htm

The article contains something interesting and at least one mistake:

> The new rules also make it illegal to harvest lobster from artificial
habitats intentionally sunk to attract lobster.

Too bad this does not apply to commercial lobster fishermen. I think their
traps would qualify as artificial habitats intentionally sunk to attract
lobster. For sport lobster fishermen, it's not real clear how the rule
should be applied except, of course, for those caught actually dropping
artificial habitats. Does this include any object on the bottom that might
attract lobster or does it only include those dropped for the express
purpose of attracting them. How will anyone know what the purpose of
objects dropped years ago was. Does it apply to objects placed by
conservation organizations, reef balls, for example, or just those placed by
hunters. How about all the artificial reefs placed with state permission.
Aren't they to attract sea life? Aren't lobster sealife? It's going to get
interesting soon.

> As always, a lobster is only considered large enough to harvest if the
carapace, or area between the eyes and tail, is at > least three inches
long.

This is an incorrect statement. The rule is that the carapace must be more
than three inches long. If you put your guage on the lobster and it slips
off the back of the carapace, even though it's touching, the lobster is
short, or at least always has been. I didn't see any change to this portion
of the rules, so I'm betting it's the same as always. Be careful out there.
It does not take much of a mistake to net a large fine.

Lee

As always, a lobster is only considered large enough to harvest if the
carapace, or area between the eyes and tail, is at > least three inches
long.

As Lee said, I beleive the law says the carapace must be "greater than 3"" not
just 3"
If the gauge drops off the back of the carapace even if you have to force it
over the back of it let it go That 1/16" can be AWFUL expensive

Capt Banny Thorne
Never Enough Charters
Marathon, Fla. Keys

We always stop off in Key Largo and get the skinny on any rule changes for
that year. I agree with Lee on the artificial habitats.........how in the
world are they going to know if you pulled a lobster out of a washing
machine that was sunk years ago. They would be hard pressed to submit any
evidence if you took the case to court.

If there is anything I have learned it is not to mess with the IRS or the
Keys lobster rules.........they are written in stone.

Heading into the madness this coming Monday. BTW thanks for the report on
Gloria there Lee.
Steve
"Lee Bell" <leebell@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:bflsm9$1q3$2@slb4.atl.mindspring.net...
>
> "Roy G. Biv" <captkeywest@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:a6c3deff.0307220609.71761140@posting.google.c om...
> > http://www.keysnews.com/334347669562599.bsp.htm
>
> The article contains something interesting and at least one mistake:
>
> > The new rules also make it illegal to harvest lobster from artificial
> habitats intentionally sunk to attract lobster.
>
> Too bad this does not apply to commercial lobster fishermen. I think
their
> traps would qualify as artificial habitats intentionally sunk to attract
> lobster. For sport lobster fishermen, it's not real clear how the rule
> should be applied except, of course, for those caught actually dropping
> artificial habitats. Does this include any object on the bottom that
might
> attract lobster or does it only include those dropped for the express
> purpose of attracting them. How will anyone know what the purpose of
> objects dropped years ago was. Does it apply to objects placed by
> conservation organizations, reef balls, for example, or just those placed
by
> hunters. How about all the artificial reefs placed with state permission.
> Aren't they to attract sea life? Aren't lobster sealife? It's going to
get
> interesting soon.
>
> > As always, a lobster is only considered large enough to harvest if the
> carapace, or area between the eyes and tail, is at > least three inches
> long.
>
> This is an incorrect statement. The rule is that the carapace must be
more
> than three inches long. If you put your guage on the lobster and it slips
> off the back of the carapace, even though it's touching, the lobster is
> short, or at least always has been. I didn't see any change to this
portion
> of the rules, so I'm betting it's the same as always. Be careful out
there.
> It does not take much of a mistake to net a large fine.
>
> Lee
>
>
>

"Steve Lane" <slane3@cfl.rr.com> wrote in message
news:iUDTa.59037$k85.2004847@twister.tampabay.rr.c om...
> We always stop off in Key Largo and get the skinny on any rule changes for
> that year. I agree with Lee on the artificial habitats.........how in the
> world are they going to know if you pulled a lobster out of a washing
> machine that was sunk years ago. They would be hard pressed to submit any
> evidence if you took the case to court.

I'm more concerned with the lack of thought that went into the law than how
it will be enforced. Those that enforce these laws in Florida know where
the pipes and other dropped habitat are. They'll ticket, or warn if they're
decent about it, anybody that dives those spots and comes back with lobster.
Few, if any, or those ticketed will actually fight it in court.

> If there is anything I have learned it is not to mess with the IRS or the
> Keys lobster rules.........they are written in stone.

You have better chances messing with the IRS. Don't even think about
messing with the TSA. The baggage checkers are no smarter than they used to
be, but they have a lot more authority.

> Heading into the madness this coming Monday. BTW thanks for the report on
> Gloria there Lee.

My pleasure.

Lee

Uh Oh, I'm in trouble already.

The possession limit on the water is equal to the daily bag limit, and off
the water is equal to the daily bag limit on the first day, and double the
daily bag limit on the second day. Possession limits are enforced on and
off the water.

I'm in violation of the posession limit off the water before the season even
started. I've got lobster left over from previous years. Guess I'd better
get eating. 8^)

I agree with Lee about the Newspapers poor choice of words on
measurement,
(Big OOPS on Mandy's part!)

I dug around and found the 2003 MONROE COUNTY Lobster Regs, its a PDF
file showing front and back of the FWC brochure being circulated.

The New rules all have red "NEW" next to them and there is mention of
Artificial Habitats definition and the bit about not being able to
lobster in the city of Islamoradas
shoreline/privatecanal/marina/basins (see brouchure)

here are monroe county regs

http://floridaconservation.org/marin...r_Brochure.pdf

here are state regs

http://floridaconservation.org/marine/lobster.htm


> >
> >
> >

"Lee Bell" <leebell@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:bfpg2m$nlk$1@slb0.atl.mindspring.net...
> Uh Oh, I'm in trouble already.
>
> The possession limit on the water is equal to the daily bag limit, and off
> the water is equal to the daily bag limit on the first day, and double the
> daily bag limit on the second day. Possession limits are enforced on and
> off the water.
>
> I'm in violation of the posession limit off the water before the season
even
> started. I've got lobster left over from previous years. Guess I'd
better
> get eating. 8^)

Lee, because you mean well, I'm willing to go that extra mile and give you a
hand with your rehabilitation.

Da Parrot-chick wrote

> Lee, because you mean well, I'm willing to go that extra mile and give you
a
> hand with your rehabilitation.

You're all heart. 8^)