Lobster Poaching in the Florida Keys Leads to Several Arrests

The lobster fishing season in the Florida Keys is a much-anticipated tradition for both locals and tourists. However, it is also an activity under strict regulation. Last weekend, authorities in Monroe County conducted multiple arrests due to serious violations of lobster fishing rules, just days before the eagerly awaited mini-season set for July 30 and 31.

Illegal Lobster Fishing Arrests in the Keys

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office reported at least two significant arrests. On Saturday, July 26, Marine Deputy Luis Guiardinu spotted Juan Carlos García-Martínez, a 36-year-old Miami resident, diving without the required flag near mile marker 60.5. Upon inspection, it was discovered that García-Martínez had:

• Nine lobsters caught out of season.
• Eight lobsters below the legal size limit.
• Nine tails separated from the body in the water (prohibited).
• A total of nine lobsters, exceeding the legal limit.
• A snook caught with a spear and out of season.

Additionally, he lacked the necessary permits for lobster or snook fishing, had no saltwater fishing license, and was without the required measuring device. He was also charged with evidence tampering and cited for multiple administrative violations. García-Martínez was arrested and taken to the county jail.

The following day, around 7:00 p.m., sheriff's deputies patrolling the Bow Channel Bridge in Cudjoe Key apprehended Ethan William Kline, a 21-year-old from Sebring. Kline was found with 19 twisted lobster tails, a technique involving the illegal separation of tails from the body underwater in state waters. He faced charges for several violations, including:

• Possession of lobsters out of season.
• Illegal separation of tails in the water.
• Use of prohibited methods, such as spears.

Despite these infractions, there were positive notes. During traffic stops on Wednesday morning, authorities encountered several lobster fishermen who adhered to all legal requirements.

Understanding Legal Lobster Fishing in Florida

The enforcement actions underscore the necessity of understanding and complying with current regulations, especially during open lobster fishing periods. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) outlines two distinct periods:

• Mini Sport Season: Two consecutive days, Wednesday and Thursday of the last week of July. In 2025, it will be held on July 30 and 31.
• Regular Season: From August 6, 2025, to March 31, 2026.

Size and Capture Regulations

Legal size minimum: The carapace must exceed 3 inches (7.62 cm), measured underwater with an approved gauge. Daily catch limit in Monroe (Keys): 6 lobsters per person per day. Possession limit outside the water:

• July 30: Up to 6 lobsters.
• July 31: Up to 12 if legally caught over both days.

Only passive methods are allowed for capture: hand, net, or tickle stick. The use of spears, hooks, perforating tools, recreational traps, and separating tails in the water is forbidden. Additionally, the use of a dive flag is mandatory, and night diving is prohibited in Monroe County during the mini-season.

Prohibited Lobster Fishing Areas

Lobster fishing is strictly forbidden in several protected areas:

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
• Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas.
• No-take zones of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
• Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Sanctuary.

Areas near residences, canals, and marinas in Monroe County during the initial days of the season are also off-limits. The lobster season offers a valuable opportunity for recreational fishermen, but it demands a high level of responsibility. Adhering to dates, catch limits, legal methods, and protected zones is critical not only to avoid penalties but also to preserve the marine ecosystem that makes the Keys a unique destination.