MINI SEASON: AREAS AND ZONES TO STAY AWAY FROM THIS LOBSTER SPORTS SEASON – ONBOARD

While there are many spots to catch a sizable lobster, there are also many areas protected by a special set of rules that make it against the law to hunt lobster in the Florida Keys. Know where you’re going before you head out. Don’t lobster in these areas:

Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs) – Red marker

Upper Keys

• Carysfort Reef

• Cheeca Rocks
• Conch Reef
• Davis Reef
• Elbow Reef
• Grecian Reef
• French Reef 
• Hens and Chickens
• Key Largo Dry Rocks
• Molasses Reef
• Alligator Reef

Middle Keys

• Coffins Patch
• Sombrero Key

Lower Keys

• Eastern Dry Rocks
• Looe Key 
• Newfound Harbor 
• Sand Key
• Rock Key

Ecological Reserves (pink marker)

• Western Sambo
• Tortugas (not marked, refer to GPS coordinates)

Special-Use Research Only Areas (No entry) (blue marker)

• Conch Reef
• Tennessee Reef
• Looe Key Patch Reef
• Eastern Sambo

Other Closed Areas (Year-Round)

• Everglades National Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Biscayne Bay Card Sound
• Spiny Lobster Sanctuary
• City of Layton 
• Artificial habitats in state waters

Wildlife Management Area (yellow marker)

Existing Management Area (green marker)

The post MINI SEASON: AREAS AND ZONES TO STAY AWAY FROM THIS LOBSTER SPORTS SEASON – ONBOARD appeared first on Florida Keys Weekly Newspapers.

Florida Keys Weekly